Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 31 December 2023 by the Department of Meteorology
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts while several spells of showers will occur in the Northern province and in Anuradhapura and Kandy districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph. Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in Eastern slopes of the Central hills and in Northern, North-Central, North-western, Eastern,Uva and Southern provinces.
Wind speed may increase up to (40-50) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee and Batticaloa and up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Pottuvil to Galle via Hambantota.
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and also from Pottuvil to Galle via Hambantota will be rough at times while the sea areas off the coast extending Kankasanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee and Batticaloa will be fairly rough at times. Strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
