The Department of Meteorology says several spells of showers are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces, as well as in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts during the next 24 hours.
Showers or thundershowers may also occur at a few places in the Monaragala, Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m., while mainly dry weather is expected to prevail over the rest of the island.
Strong winds of 40–50 kmph are expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North Central and Central provinces, and in the Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.
The Meteorology Department has urged the public to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.
For sea areas, a few showers are expected off the coast from Negombo to Matara via Colombo and Galle. South-westerly winds will prevail with speeds of 30–40 kmph, increasing up to 50–55 kmph at times in the sea areas from Kalpitiya to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Winds may also reach up to 45 kmph at times in the sea areas from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai via Mullaittivu.
The sea will be rough at times off the coasts from Kalpitiya to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota, while sea areas from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai via Mullaittivu may be fairly rough. Fishermen and naval operators are advised to exercise caution.
