The
Department of Meteorology has predicted showers in several provinces today (18), with above 50 mm of rain in some districts.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.
Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely in some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Several spells of showers will occur in the Anuradhapura district. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces and in the Polonnaruwa district after 1.00 pm.
Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in the Hambantota district.
The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Puttalam, Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere around the island in the evening or night.
Winds will be southwesterly. Wind speed will be 25-35 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 55-60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Wind speed can increase up to 50-55 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee.
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota will be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island can be moderate.
The wave height may increase to about 2.0 – 2.5m in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. (Newswire)