Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m.on 03 December 2023 by the Department of Meteorology

The Deep Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal located near latitude 11.2°N and longitude 82.7°E, and about 330 km northeast of Jaffna at 2330hrs of 02 December will develop into a Cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. The system is moving away from the island near the northern coast of Sri Lanka, towards the North Tamil Nadu coast of India until  December 04, 2023. Thereafter, it would move northwards as a Cyclonic Storm and cross South Andhra Pradesh coast on December 05, 2023.

Cloudy skies can be expected over Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces.

Showers may occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara eliya districts during the morning while showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Uva province and in Ampara and Hambantota districts after 01.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.

Strong winds about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.

Winds will be north-westerly or South- westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed may increase up to (60-70) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and up to (50-60) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa will be very rough at times while the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota can be rough at times and the other sea areas around the Island can be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

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