DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20140#0431
GROUP IX: CEYLON.
Badula. Kolombo. Patlam.
Battikotta. Mateli. Peredenia.
Galle. Nurelia. Trinkonomali.
Kandi.
Although Ceylon occupies an area of about 20,000 miles square, the type of climate
varies but little, unless modified by elevation. In April and May, and a part of June, the
quantity of rain increases with the south-west monsun; and this is still more the case in
October, November, and the first half of December; in this latter period the wind is
first variable, with storms from all parts of the compass; then the wind becomes ENE.
and soon turns round to NE.; there is no month without some inches of rain.
Comparatively speaking, the weather may be said to be dry and hot from
January to April or middle of May; moist and steamy from May to December, with
some decrease of rain between June and October.
At some periods of the year it happens, notwithstanding the insular position of Ceylon,
that in consequence of the general direction of the currents of the atmosphere coming
down from the continental regions to its north, the moisture becomes remarkably reduced;
the springs have been observed to approach dessication, and the level of tanks and sheets
of water, such as the large lake near Kolombo, have often sunk very considerably, even
after the rains in May. Such was the case in the middle of September 1855. Such
drought is but of short duration; it is chiefly the period next preceeding the beginning
of the SAV. as well as of the NE. monsun, which shows this exceptional dryness.
At Kolombo clouds of red dust then become annoying near the station; but
many more are the days of the year when driving rain can scarcely be kept off by
Badula. Kolombo. Patlam.
Battikotta. Mateli. Peredenia.
Galle. Nurelia. Trinkonomali.
Kandi.
Although Ceylon occupies an area of about 20,000 miles square, the type of climate
varies but little, unless modified by elevation. In April and May, and a part of June, the
quantity of rain increases with the south-west monsun; and this is still more the case in
October, November, and the first half of December; in this latter period the wind is
first variable, with storms from all parts of the compass; then the wind becomes ENE.
and soon turns round to NE.; there is no month without some inches of rain.
Comparatively speaking, the weather may be said to be dry and hot from
January to April or middle of May; moist and steamy from May to December, with
some decrease of rain between June and October.
At some periods of the year it happens, notwithstanding the insular position of Ceylon,
that in consequence of the general direction of the currents of the atmosphere coming
down from the continental regions to its north, the moisture becomes remarkably reduced;
the springs have been observed to approach dessication, and the level of tanks and sheets
of water, such as the large lake near Kolombo, have often sunk very considerably, even
after the rains in May. Such was the case in the middle of September 1855. Such
drought is but of short duration; it is chiefly the period next preceeding the beginning
of the SAV. as well as of the NE. monsun, which shows this exceptional dryness.
At Kolombo clouds of red dust then become annoying near the station; but
many more are the days of the year when driving rain can scarcely be kept off by