Showers and strong winds are expected across several parts of Sri Lanka on Saturday, with rough seas forecast in several coastal areas, the Department of Meteorology said.
Showers will occur at times in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, while several spells of showers are expected in the North Western Province.
Showers or thundershowers may develop at a few locations in Uva Province and in the Ampara, Batticaloa and Hambantota districts after 2 p.m.
Mainly dry conditions are expected elsewhere.
Winds of 40-50 kph are expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North Central and North Western provinces, and the Trincomalee, Monaragala, Hambantota and Matale districts.
The public has been advised to take precautions against temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
The sun will be directly overhead at locations in Sri Lanka from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7 due to its apparent southward movement. On Saturday, it will be directly overhead near Pallawarayankaddu, Akkarayankulam, Ariviyal Nagar, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Ananthapuram at about 12:11 p.m.
For the next 24 hours, showers may occur at several locations in sea areas off the coast from Chilaw to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
Southwesterly winds of 30-40 kph are forecast, increasing to 50-60 kph at times in waters from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar, from Mullaitivu to Trincomalee, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Winds may reach 50 kph at times between Kankasanthurai and Mullaitivu.
Seas from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar, from Mullaitivu to Trincomalee, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be rough at times. Waters between Kankasanthurai and Mullaitivu will be fairly rough at times.
Wave heights could reach about 2-2.5 meters in waters from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Matara.
Fishing and naval communities operating in the affected waters, as well as people living in nearby coastal areas, have been advised to remain vigilant. (Newswire)