Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts on Sunday, the Department of Meteorology said in its morning bulletin.
The forecast, issued at 5.30 a.m. on August 9, also expects several spells of showers in the North-western province. In Uva province and the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, showers or thundershowers may develop at a few places after 2.00 p.m.
Winds across five provinces
Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the North-central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces and the Trincomalee district.
The department asked the public to take adequate precautions against damage from temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
No rainfall threshold for the first time this week
Sunday’s bulletin carries no rainfall quantity at all — a change from the warnings that have run through the week. The department’s forecast for Saturday put fairly heavy falls above 75 mm over Sabaragamuwa province and the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, and the preceding day’s bulletin had carried a similar threshold.
The wind advisory, by contrast, is unchanged: the same five provinces and the Trincomalee district have been named in successive bulletins during this spell.
At sea, the Red-level advisory issued on Saturday for the stretches from Chilaw to Mannar and Matara to Pottuvil was set to expire at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday. Fishing and naval communities had been told to stay out of both zones, with gusts there reaching 60-70 kmph.
Two events exposed to the weather
The forecast covers a day with two large outdoor commitments. The Grade 5 scholarship examination is being held on Sunday, after the Examinations Department set out contingency arrangements for candidates affected by adverse weather earlier in the month.
The Colombo International Kite Festival also runs from 1.00 p.m. at Galle Face Green, in the Western province, where the department expects showers or thundershowers at times.
Sources: Ada Derana, Hiru News, Department of Meteorology.
