Weather
Very heavy showers likely in Northern, North Central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Matale and Kegalle districts
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 28 November 2024 by the Department of Meteorology
The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located 100 km northeast of Trincomalee at around 2.30 a.m. of 28th November 2024. It is likely to move slowly, north-northwestwards closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify further into a cyclonic storm today (28th November).
Under influence of the system cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island, very heavy showers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern province and in Trincomalee district.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern province and in Trincomalee district. Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places. Showers will occur at times elsewhere of the island too. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in North Central and North-western provinces and in and Matale and Kegalle districts.
Very strong winds of about (60-70) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district. strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the Island.
Winds will be north-easterly in direction in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be (40-50) kmph and can increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas around the island.
The sea areas around the island will be rough to very rough at times.
The swell waves (about 2.5–3.0 m) height (this is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee may experience surges due to swell waves. Strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026
Accordingly,
Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 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.
Weather
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 23 APRIL 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 23 April 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-central and Uva provinces and in Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts during the early hours of the morning.
Showers may occur in Batticaloa, Ampara and Hambantota districts during the morning while showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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