Today (14) strong lightning, a change in the weather from tomorrow (15)

The Department of Meteorology requests the public to pay special attention to the weather conditions in the coming days. The National Early Warning Centre for Disaster Management has announced that there is a high probability of a low-pressure area forming in the southeastern Bay of Bengal sea area around February 15th.

Therefore, it is extremely important to constantly pay attention to the weather forecasts and announcements issued in the future.

Meanwhile, a special advisory notice regarding severe lightning has also been issued today (14) affecting several provinces and districts across the island. This message, issued at 11:30 AM today, will be valid until 11:30 PM tonight. Accordingly, there is a high risk of severe lightning accompanied by thundershowers in some areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces, as well as in the Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts, after approximately 1:00 PM today. Authorities also point out that temporary strong winds can be expected in these areas during rainfall.

Considering the rainfall situation today, intermittent rain is expected in the Central and Uva provinces, as well as in the Ampara, Batticaloa, and Hambantota districts. There is a possibility of fairly heavy rainfall, around 50mm, in some places in the Uva and Central provinces, and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts. Additionally, weather reports indicate that several rain spells may occur in the Northern and North Central provinces, and in the Trincomalee district.

In other parts of the island, scattered showers or thundershowers are likely after 1:00 PM. Fairly heavy rainfall, around 75mm, is especially expected in some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, and in the Galle and Matara districts. Furthermore, misty weather conditions can be observed during the early morning hours in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Central provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.

In light of the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the Department of Meteorology strongly urges the public to take immediate safety measures to minimize potential risks to life and property from lightning and strong winds. The department further states that this risk can be mitigated by avoiding staying outdoors or under trees, seeking shelter in a safe building or an enclosed vehicle, not staying in open areas such as paddy fields and tea plantations, and staying away from corded electrical appliances. The public has also been advised to be mindful of trees and power lines that could fall due to strong winds, and to seek assistance from disaster management officials in an emergency.