Burning weather to continue till end April: Meteorologist

Temperatures above 36 Celsius recorded in Anuradhapura and Mullaitivu 

By Huzefa Aliasger

The Department of Meteorology is going to issue its 16th heat warning for the inter-monsoon period in March and April, highlighting the high level of humidity felt on the body, and the humidity levels are higher than the previous year, an official from the Department of Meteorology said.  

Meteorologist Malith Fernando told the Daily Mirror that temperatures above 36 Celsius have been recorded in districts such as Anuradhapura and Mullaitivu, while the temperatures last year at the same period were around 32 to 33 Celsius.

Mr. Fernando said that “the reason the heat is felt on the human body is due to the lack of wind flow during the inter-monsoon period. The wind pattern for Sri Lanka is the reason for the occurrence of monsoons. At the start of the year, the wind pattern moves. During December to February, the wind pattern moves North and East. Then, we get the North-East monsoon, during May to September, the wind patterns move South West, thus the South West monsoon occurs. During the transitions between the monsoons are the inter-monsoon time periods where wind flow is very less, thus the heat felt on the body is much more.”

The Department of Meteorology issued a warning on April 21,  “Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern Provinces and in Ratnapura, Monaragala Districts.”

Mr. Fernando also said that the peak of the heat felt on the body is from 2 pm to 3 pm, and rainfall is forecast by the department for April 22. “Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m., fairly heavy falls of about 75 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central Provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur in Western Province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam Districts in the morning too. The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and in Ampara District during the morning.”

The humidity and heat levels are expected to last till the end of the month, when the new monsoon season starts.