Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – November 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

Rainfall in the Maldives continued to follow an increasing trend in October 2015. Heavy rainfall was observed throughout the country during late October to early November period. Southern islands received extremely heavy rainfall which resulted in floods in many southern atolls. The deficit in rainfall is only seen in northern islands while central and southern islands have received above average rainfall in the past year. Rainfall in the next 3 months shall have an above average tendency in the Northern and Central regions. Temperatures shall be warmer than the seasonal average throughout the country.

Rainfall in Southern Maldives in the last 6 years with this year's rainfall as the solid black line. A significant increase in rainfall was observed during late October - early November 2015 which caused floods in many southern atolls.

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – October 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

High rainfall during September throughout the country decreased the rainfall deficit. The rainfall deficit in the country has come down to less than 10% of expected average. An increasing trend in rainfall can be seen in the past couple of months. Extreme rainfall is expected throughout the country during the next couple of days. Seasonal rainfall prediction models predict a continuation of above average rainfall during the next 2 months. The sea surface temperature around the Maldives is unusually warm. The Indian Ocean Dipole continues to be active.

Rainfall in Central Maldives in the past 6 years. The black line shows the rainfall this year which shows  large spikes after August 2015. Rainfall observed in September 2015 is the highest in the last 6 years.

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – September 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

The monthly average rainfall during August was about 200 mm in central islands and about 150 mm in southern islands. These amounts are the highest rainfall observed during this year. However, the rainfall in the northern islands once again below average rainfall in August. The high August rainfall in southern islands has compensated for the cumulative rainfall deficit. In the central islands the high rainfall has contributed to bring down the rainfall deficit by about 50%. During the next 3 months there is a high chance of having above average rainfall in central islands. But in the Southern islands below average rainfall is more likely in the next 3 months. This pattern predicted by climate models is consistent with historical data during El Nino events which is likely to prevail for the next 6 months.

Rainfall in the past 5 years in Central islands. Black line shows the rainfall in 2015 which gets very high in August and September

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Tidal swells may cause flooding in the Maldives next week

by Zaheena Rasheed

Tidal swells may cause flooding across the Maldives on September 28, 29 and 30, the department of meteorology has said.

The alert was issued after the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) warned of tidal flooding for the Indian coastline next week in connection with the perigean spring tide.

A perigean spring tide or king tide occurs when the new or full moon coincides with the perigree of the moon—the point when the moon is closest to the Earth.

Flooding does not always occur when there is perigean spring tide, but it is likely when a storm strikes at the same time as a king tide.

The Maldives has been experiencing a prolonged bout of bad weather in recent weeks, an unusual occurrence for September.

Some 400 passengers were rescued at sea and thunderstorms have damaged property across the country. A seaplane and several speedboats docked at harbors had to be refloated.

In August tidal swells hit the capital city of Malé, causing severe flooding in the northeast side of the city. The area was inundated in more than two feet of water.

Colombo based Foundation for Environment, Climate and Technology (FECT) has predicted above average rainfall in the Maldives up to November due to the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon.

There has been a marked increase in reports of weather-related damage to property this year.

Source: www.maldivesindependent.com

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – August 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

Heavy rainfall was observed over the entire Maldives in July/ early-August 2015. This is the highest observed monthly rainfall this year. Due to this heavy rainfall the cumulative deficit of rainfall has come down to about 9% in northern islands and central islands and there is no deficit in southern islands. NOAA CFS models predict heavy rainfall in southern and central islands until the end of August while IRI seasonal predictions say that there shall be above average rainfall in the next 3 months with 80% probability. This is in keeping with what’s typical during an El Nino.

Deficit of rainfall (brown hatch) in southern islands of Maldives. High rainfall in  the first two weeks of August 2015 has diminished the gap between observed rainfall and  average rainfall.

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – July 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

There was heavy rainfall from 10th- 18th July up to 80 mm/day rainfall across the Maldives. The rainfall this July was the highest in the past 5 years in the northern islands. Still the cumulative deficit of rainfall for the last nine months remained at 30% of expected rainfall. There is a strong El Nino in place with the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Sea Surfaces warmed up as expected. That shall last for six months and as is typical. The sea around Maldives and Sri Lanka is about 1 degree Celsius higher than the average. There is a gradient in sea surface temperatures between the warmer Arabian Sea and neutral seas near Indonesia as is typical with an Indian Ocean Dipole. The implications for Maldives varies between the Northern, Central and Southern Islands when it comes to rainfall (see separate post on this) but there shall be consistent warmer than usual temperatures for the next six months.

Observed monthly rainfall in and around the Maldives in June 2015

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – June 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

In the last week of June and the first week of June high rainfall was observed in the entire Maldives and then a rapid decrease was observed. No rainfall was observed in the past week in any part of Maldives. High rainfall is expected in the Northern tip of Maldives particularly in the seat towards the Kerala Coast. IRI multi-model 3 month seasonal precipitation predictions point to a tendency to a less than average rainfall in southern-most islands of the country. Both the El Nino and Indian Ocean warm conditions are driving warmer seasonal temperatures.

Rainfall Anomaly in May 2015. Highly above average rainfall was observed in the sea east of Central and Northern islands.

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – May 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

In April 2015 less than average monthly rainfall was observed throughout the Maldives. Usually the rainfall is high in April and the relatively high rainfall in the first two weeks in northern and southern islands was not sufficient to put this above the long-term average. The first week of May saw more than 100 mm rainfall in northern and southern islands and low rainfall in the central islands. The cumulative deficit of rainfall for the past year shows about 25% below normal for the northern islands and close to normal for the southern and central islands. The NOAA CFS models predict up to 50 mm in the next few from 20-25th May. A clean El Nino has onset in the Maldives and this coupled with the warmer Indian Ocean shall lead to warmer months in the next six months. The Central and Northern Islands are likely to have a dry tendency for the next four months followed by a wet tendency from October to December.

Below average rainfall observed in the entire country in March 2015

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Internship Report of Mr. Yoosuf Ashraj at Renewable Energy Maldives

By Yoosuf Ashraj

Mr Yoosuf Ashraj at Hulhumale

View of  Male city from the Male Jetty

I travelled to the Maldives as an Intern from the Foundation for Environment, Climate and Technology (FECT) at Renewable Energy Maldives (REM). This internship was arranged by FECT for the-Masters in (Sustainable) Development Practice from the University of Peradeniya. Since one of the students pulled out during the last minute, I had the opportunity to join Mr. K. Wijeratne who was undertaking a separate internship. I undertook preparatory work before and after and visited Male from 15^th to 21^st April 2013.

Internship Report on the status of Fresh Water and the Environment in the Greater Male, Maldives, by Mr. K. Wijeratne at FECT

By: K. Wijeratne

Master of Development Practice, Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 

Status of Waste disposal in Thilafushi Island

I undertook the three months internship of my Masters in Development Practice Degree, offered by the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, at the Foundation for Environment, Climate and Technology (FECT), and I worked under the supervison of Dr. Lareef Zubair (Principal Scientist - Foundation of Environment and Climate Technology; & Visiting Lecturer - University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka).

2015 Southwest Monsoon Rainfall Outlook for the Maldives

2015 Southwest monsoon season (June to September) rainfall outlook for the Maldives was issued on 26th April at the First National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) hosted by Maldives Meteorological Service with the support from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Regional Integrated-Multi Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES). The forum was inaugurated by Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister for Environment and Energy. Different stakeholders attended NCOF.

Map above shows most likely categories of rainfall over South Asia. For the northern and central Maldives Below normal rainfall is expected during June to September 2015. On the other hand, above normal rainfall is expected for the southern parts of the Maldives during the same period. For more information and further updates on the southwest monsoon over the Maldives, Maldives Meteorological Service can be consulted.

Source: Maldives Meteorological Services. www.meteorology.gov.mv

Over MVR6m needed to provide water to 97 islands

By Minivan News

The disaster management centre estimates that about MVR6.5 million (US$421,530) will be spent this year to provide clean water to 97 islands due to persisting shortages.

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – April 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

After a relatively dry January, February and March some rainfall was observed in the first two weeks of April. This is the highest observed rainfall this year in the entire country. This rainfall coincided with the atmospheric phenomenon known as Madden Julian Oscillation being strong and in phase 3 (and over the Indian Ocean) which is usually associated with higher rainfall over Maldives. But as the MJO transited to phase 5 over the Pacific in the previous week (11 th onwards) was once again dry. The NOAA CFS long range weather prediction models predict dry conditions in the next week as well. Usually in April relatively high rainfall can be observed (about 200 mm- 400 mm monthly). Moderate El Nino conditions have set in and as is typical there is warmer than usual seas around the Maldives. The rainfall in a typical El Nino episode over Maldives is lower than usual in Northern and Central Maldives until mid-September.

Below average rainfall observed in the entire country in March 2015

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – March 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

Below average rainfall was observed in January 2015 in Maldives and a continuation of this dry condition was observed in February and early March 2015 as well. Significant amount of rainfall is not predicted in the next few days by NOAA/ CFS models. The rainfall deficit in Maldives has increased to about 22- 33% of what is typical during the past 365 days. IRI predicts an El Nino by mid-2015.

Southern islands continue to receive below average rainfall

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – February 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

A continuation of dry weather conditions from the previous month was observed throughout January in the Northern and Central Maldives. The Southern Islands got a significant amount of rainfall on the 12 -14 th of January. The seas to the Southern islands showed a warming which was 0.5C above what is usual. Significant amounts of rainfall are not expected during the next few days as well. On a seasonal time scale, the next three months are expected to bring the usual distribution of rainfall totals although the Southern islands in particular and Central Islands as well shall tend towards warmer temperatures than usual.

Very dry conditions were observed in and around Maldives during January 2015

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – January 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

During December below average rainfall was observed throughout Maldives contributing to a further increase in the rainfall deficit which had persisted throughout the previous year. Despite having relatively higher rainfall towards the end of the year 2014, the rainfall deficit in southern islands too has reached to a magnitude of about 15% of expected rainfall during the year. Most of ENSO prediction models indicate a weak El Nino condition during January to March.

Rainfall Anomaly over Maldives in December 2014. Notice that below average rainfall was observed in the entire country which is shown in brown.

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

We should not surrender to climate change

By Dunya Maumoon

Island states, such as the Maldives, are already making ambitious changes to adapt to rising sea levels. With a global resolve to implement such solutions, it could be possible to tackle the climate impasse.

A girl walks at a beach damaged by erosion at Fuvahmulah in the Maldives. The island chain, that sits just a metre above sea level, is working to build resilience into its coastal infrastructure. Photograph: Reinhard Krause/Reuters