Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre  at 12.00 noon 19 February 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 19 February 2026

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Advisory for low pressure area in the Southwest Bay of Bengal to the south-east of Sri Lanka.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 03.00 pm on 18 February 2026

Multiday boats fishermen and naval community are warned that the low-pressure area still persists over the Southwest Bay of Bengal to the south-east of Sri Lanka. Under the influence of this system, heavy showers or thundershowers, Strong winds about (50-60) kmph, and rough or very rough seas can be expected in these sea areas.

The Meteorological Department is constantly monitoring the behavior of the system.

The naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 19 FEBRUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 19 February 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.

Showers will occur at times in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva province and in Matale, Batticaloa, Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts. Several spells of showers will occur in Northern Province and in Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere after 1.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Matale, Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershower