Southwest monsoon expected to set countrywide today

By Ifham Nizam

The Southwest monsoon is expected to be established countrywide today and the wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph in the sea areas extending from Kankesanturai to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Galle and Hambanthota, due to a wind convergence zone around Sri Lanka, says the Department of Meteorology.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern, and Southern Provinces, according to the Met Department forecast.

Showers above 75mm will occur at some places in the Sabaragamuwa Province and Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, and Matara districts.

The sea areas will be rough and it may be very rough at times. There is also a possibility of experiencing swell waves, having (2.0 – 2.5) m height in these sea areas, according to the forecast.

As the southwest monsoon condition is gradually establishing over the island, showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Southern provinces, according to the forecast.

Fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm can occur in parts of the Sabaragamuwa province and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern Province and in Anuradhapura District.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph are expected at times over the western slope of the central hills, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and in the Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.