The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met office) says bad weather is expected in various parts of the Maldives over the next five days, until next Wednesday, 11 November (Republic Day).

What the Met office says

The westerly monsoon (hulhangu) is strengthening, and heavy rain with thunder is expected in various areas. Some areas may also be affected by keri, the Met office says. Wind is generally 5 to 15 mph, and up to 40 mph in storm clouds. The Met office urges travellers to take care.

Forecast for the next three days

The Met website's 6 November forecast covers Hanimaadhoo, Hulhulé, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan.

Maldives Now forecast graphic with a table for Hanimaadhoo, Hulhulé, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan for Sat 7, Sun 8 and Mon 9 November. Thundershowers at most stations each day; Saturday partly cloudy at Hanimaadhoo; Monday slight showers at Kaadedhdhoo; all stations 30°C. A wind scale shows 5 to 15 mph usually and up to 40 mph in storm clouds, and a nakaiy box covers Viha (1 to 13 November) and Nora (14 to 26 November)
Forecast from the Maldives Meteorological Service, 6 November. - Maldives Now

  • Saturday 7 November: thundershowers at Hulhulé, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan; partly cloudy at Hanimaadhoo

  • Sunday 8 November: thundershowers at all five stations

  • Monday 9 November: thundershowers at Hanimaadhoo, Hulhulé, Kadhdhoo and Gan; slight showers at Kaadedhdhoo

All five stations show a forecast temperature of 30°C.

Alerts and November outlook

On 5 November the Met office issued a White Alert (information level) for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 35 mph, from Gaafu Alifu Atoll to Addu City, between 14:30 and 19:30. No alert was active when its alerts page was checked on Friday afternoon, 6 November.

The November outlook, published on 1 November, says rainfall is likely to be above normal over most central and northern atolls, and normal to above normal in the southern atolls.

What the nakaiy calendar says

By the traditional calendar, the Maldivian year is split into 27 nakaiy (ނަކަތް) of 13 or 14 days, each linked to a typical weather pattern and used to plan fishing, travel and farming. Eighteen fall in the hulhangu (south-west monsoon) and nine in the iruvai (north-east monsoon).

The current period, Viha (1 to 13 November), is traditionally known for calm days and good fishing, so this forecast runs against its reputation. Next comes Nora (14 to 26 November), with light winds, some sun showers and unsettled currents as the north-east monsoon approaches.

Planning a trip? See our Travel Maldives guide.