World · Sri Lanka Bureau
El Niño conditions to persist through first quarter of 2024
Sri Lanka's meteorological authorities have warned that El Niño weather patterns are almost certain to continue affecting the island nation through the opening months of next year. The forecast carries significant implications for rainfall patterns and agricultural planning across the country.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Meteorological Department has assessed a 97 percent probability that El Niño conditions will remain in place until the first quarter of 2025, according to latest climate projections released this week. The persistence of these warming ocean patterns in the equatorial Pacific will likely influence monsoon behavior and weather systems across South Asia, including Sri Lanka.
El Niño episodes typically suppress rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season and can contribute to drier conditions across parts of the island. The extended forecast period suggests that agricultural communities and water resource managers should prepare for potential moisture deficits during the coming months.
The department's assessment aligns with international climate monitoring agencies tracking the current El Niño event, which has been active since mid-2023. Authorities have advised relevant sectors including agriculture, water management, and disaster preparedness to factor the extended forecast into their operational planning.
Residents and farmers are urged to monitor further updates from the Meteorological Department as the season progresses, given the potential impact on water availability and crop cultivation across the country.