Met Office: Rough weather conditions expected over next two days

The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has forecasted rough weather conditions for the next two days, with strong winds and rough seas expected to prevail across the northern and central atolls.

According to the Met Office, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms are forecast for the central and southern regions on Sunday. Northern areas are expected to experience scattered showers. A White Alert has also been issued from Laamu Atoll to Addu City until 13:00pm, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

The general forecast valid until 18:00pm this evening predicts widespread rainfall across the country, with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected in some areas.

Wind speeds are forecast to range from 5 to 15 mph from the west/northwest in the southern atolls, while other regions are expected to experience stronger winds of between 10 and 20 mph. During showers, wind speeds may reach approximately 40 mph.

The Met Office forecasts moderate sea conditions in the south, while the rest of the country is expected to experience moderate to rough seas, with conditions becoming rougher during squalls. Wave heights are expected to reach up to four feet in the south and between three and six feet in the central and northern regions. 

The weather forecasting body stated that the prevailing weather conditions are being influenced by the ongoing Southwest Monsoon (Hulhangu).