Weather forecast issued  at 05.30 a.m. on 20 August 2024 by the Department of Meteorology 

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern, Uva and North-Central Provinces during the evening or night.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over the  Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota district.

Winds will be south-westerly in the sea areas and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle and up to (55-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.

The sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be rough at times while the  sea areas off the coasts extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle may be fairly rough at times.

The swell wave heights may increase (about 2.5m–3.0m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle (this is not for land area).

Srong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershower

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.