Weather conditions across Sri Lanka during the next 36 hours are expected to be influenced by a low-level atmospheric disturbance located to the east of the island, according to the Department of Meteorology. This system continues to shape weather patterns across several regions, resulting in enhanced showery conditions, increased cloud cover and occasional strong winds in different parts of the country. The effects of this disturbance are expected to become more noticeable from January 5, particularly across the Northern, Eastern and Uva Provinces, where rainfall activity is forecast to intensify during the coming days.
Showers are expected to occur at times in the Eastern and Uva Provinces, as well as in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu. These areas are likely to experience intermittent rainfall throughout the forecast period, with cloudy conditions prevailing for extended hours. Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 millimetres is likely at some places in the Eastern Province and in Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Badulla, Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts, contributing to generally wet conditions across these regions. Rainfall intensity may vary from place to place, depending on localized atmospheric conditions.
Several spells of showers are also expected in Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts. These northern and north-central areas may experience periods of rain alternating with cloudy intervals as moisture associated with the atmospheric disturbance spreads across the region. Rainfall in these districts is expected to occur in spells rather than continuous rain, with varying intensity during the day and night.
In the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places after 2.00 p.m. Afternoon and evening thundershowers are common under such weather conditions, particularly when daytime heating interacts with available atmospheric moisture. These showers are expected to be localized in nature and may occur intermittently during the latter part of the day.
In addition to rainfall, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour can be expected at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern Provinces, and in the Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts. Wind conditions may vary throughout the day, with occasional gusty periods accompanying showers or thundershowers, particularly in exposed areas and along elevated terrain.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize possible damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers, as weather conditions may change rapidly in some areas during the forecast period.
