Chennai crosses 40° Celsius for the first time after rain break; records highest in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: The respite from summer heat due to the strong summer showers is officially over for Chennai, with the maximum temperature recorded by the Nungambakkam weather station crossing 40° Celsius on Monday for the first time this summer.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, both Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam weather stations recorded 40.6° Celsius during the day. It was 2.6° Celsius above normal in the case of Nungambakkam, while the maximum temperature was 1.7° Celsius more than normal at Meenambakkam. The two weather stations saw a surge of about 1 degree Celsius from the previous day.

The temperature in the city remained highest in the State.

S Balachandran, head of Regional Meteorological Centre, said that the suburbs had recorded temperatures above 40 degree Celsius earlier this month. "Under the influence of the cyclone, the moisture has reduced in the atmosphere and the heat impact is expected to increase in the city, " he said.

Weather blogger Pradeep John said that Nungambakkam recorded the hottest day of the year on Monday, while Meenambakkam recorded second hottest day of the year. The previous highest maximum temperature in Nungambakkam was 39 degree Celsius recorded on May 1. He added that summers with less than 40 degree Celsius, like in May 2018 and May 2004, is gone now.

Vellore recorded 39.9 degree Celsius temperature, followed by 39 degree Celsius in Thanjavur and 38.4 degree Celsius in Madurai and Cuddalore both. The rainfall was recorded at one or two places over Tamil Nadu.

Erode and Karur Paramathi, the two weather stations that recorded the highest maximum temperature in Tamil Nadu during the earlier heatwave that scorched the State before the rains set in, recorded lower temperatures of 38.2° Celsius and 36.5° Celsius, respectively.

The Regional Meteorological Centre stated that the conditions post cyclone are likely to become favourable for monsoon onset over Kerala during the next five days. The conditions are also likely to become favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives and Comorin area; some parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala; some more parts in Southwest - Central Bay of Bengal and Northeast Bay of Bengal during the next five days.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning at one or two places is likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area. In Chennai, the sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 39 degree Celsius and minimum temperature is likely to be 29-30 degree Celsius.

(With inputs from Online desk)