Southern atolls are now experiencing the onset of the Hulhan'gu (Southwest) monsoon, which runs from May to November.
Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) stated today that southern atolls generally start experiencing the effects of the Southwest monsoon in the first or second week of May. The weather conditions then gradually spread to the central atolls and the Southwest monsoon commences in earnest across the entire country by the end of May.
According to the MET Office, Southwest monsoon commenced in southern atolls this year on last Friday, May 8.
The Northeast monsoon generally lasts from January to March.
Southwest monsoon onset criteria
- Rain: When daily rainfall greater than 2.5mm is recorded at more than 60 percent of the stations in the southern atolls after May 1.
- Wind: When southwest to westerly wind with speeds greater than 10 knots are recorded at more than 60 percent of the stations in the southern atolls after May 1.
When these conditions then persist over two or more consecutive days.
