Heavy rain and thunder forecast across the Maldives until 11 November
The Maldives Meteorological Service expects heavy rain and thunder in various areas until Wednesday 11 November, saying the westerly monsoon is strengthening.
Unsettled weather is expected in various parts of the Maldives for the next five days, through to Wednesday 11 November, Republic Day, the Maldives Meteorological Service has said.
Monsoon gathering strength
The Met office says the westerly monsoon, known locally as hulhangu, is intensifying and will bring heavy rain and thunder to various areas, with keri also possible in some places. Winds are expected to blow generally at 5 to 15 mph, rising to as much as 40 mph within storm clouds. The Met office has asked travellers to be careful.
Station outlook, 7 to 9 November
The forecast published on the Met website on 6 November covers five stations: HDh. Hanimaadhoo, K. Hulhulé, L. Kadhdhoo, GDh. Kaadedhdhoo and S. Gan.
- Saturday 7 November: thundershowers at Hulhulé, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan, with Hanimaadhoo partly cloudy
- Sunday 8 November: thundershowers at every station
- Monday 9 November: thundershowers at Hanimaadhoo, Hulhulé, Kadhdhoo and Gan, and slight showers at Kaadedhdhoo
Each of the five stations has a forecast temperature of 30°C.
Recent alert and monthly outlook
On 5 November the Met office issued a White Alert, its information level, covering Gaafu Alifu Atoll to Addu City, for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 35 mph between 14:30 and 19:30. When its alerts page was checked on the afternoon of Friday 6 November, no alert was in force.
The November outlook, released on 1 November, indicates rainfall is likely to be above normal across most central and northern atolls, and normal to above normal in the southern atolls.
Against the grain of the nakaiy
Under the traditional calendar, the Maldivian year is divided into 27 nakaiy (ނަކަތް), each lasting 13 or 14 days and associated with a characteristic weather pattern, and used for planning fishing, travel and farming. Eighteen belong to hulhangu, the south-west monsoon, and nine to iruvai, the north-east monsoon.
The present nakaiy, Viha (1 to 13 November), is traditionally associated with calm days and good fishing, which makes this week's forecast unusual for the period. It is followed by Nora (14 to 26 November), linked to light winds, occasional sun showers and unsettled currents as the north-east monsoon draws near.