Rainfall to decrease and temperatures to rise in March: MMS

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has announced that rainfall across much of the country is expected to be lower than average this coming March, with temperatures projected to rise above normal levels. According to the seasonal forecast released by the office on Friday, significant climatic shifts are anticipated throughout the country during the upcoming month.

According to the "Maldives Monthly Climate Outlook" report released by the Meteorological Service, rainfall in the northern atolls next month is expected to remain within normal seasonal averages. However, central and southern atolls are projected to experience significantly less rainfall than is typically recorded during this period.

According to the Meteorological Service, these projections are based on statistical data compiled using 11 models from the World Meteorological Organization’s "Lead Centre." Taking into account major climate drivers and the specific climatic conditions of the Maldives, the signals from these models primarily indicate that rainfall is expected to be below average for the central and southern atolls.

Temperatures across the Maldives are forecasted to be slightly higher than average throughout the month of March. This trend is expected to affect both the daily maximum and nightly minimum temperatures. However, the Maldives Meteorological Service noted that the likelihood of temperatures exceeding the seasonal average is relatively lower in the regions between Shaviyani Atoll and Kaafu Atoll.

The Meteorological Office further stated that the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is currently weak across the Maldives and the Arabian Sea. However, these convective activities are expected to strengthen over the Maritime Continent region during the first week of March.

Based on these observations, the Meteorological Service forecasts that next month is likely to be drier and hotter than the average rainfall levels typically experienced in the Maldives.