Chennai sizzles at 40°; rain may bring respite

CHENNAI: The outskirts remained hotter than core city areas on Saturday as Chennai continued to sizzle despite the onset of the southwest monsoon over neighbouring Kerala. Nungambakkam recorded 39.9°C and Meenambakkam 40.4°C, both around 2.4 degrees above normal.

Relief from the summer heat, however, may be around the corner. Meteorologists said there is a possibility for rain or cloudy weather to bring down the daytime temperatures during the week.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall in the city and suburbs on Sunday, with maximum temperatures expected to dip by about a degree to 39-40°C, compared with the 40-41°C forecast for Saturday. Minimum temperatures may remain a warm 29-30°C. Districts along the Western Ghats and some southern districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall.

Meteorologists said the city has not received any thunderstorms so far, despite forecasts by weather models, because the monsoon winds are not strong enough to push cloud bands from the west towards the east coast. This has prolonged the extreme summer heat, with temperatures at the city’s two observatories frequently nearing or breaching the 40°C mark this month.

“The southwesterlies are only around 20-30 kmph, which is not sufficient to push clouds from the west to the east. However, weather models show a circulation over south interior Karnataka shifting southwards, which may bring rainfall to north Tamil Nadu by Monday or Tuesday,” said V R Durai, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD.

The heat remained intense through Saturday, with temperatures staying close to 39°C even before sunset. Humidity levels of 60-79% in Nungambakkam and 51-53% in Meenambakkam added to the discomfort.

June is not a major rainfall month for Chennai. The city records an average of four rainy days and around 58.8mm of rainfall during the month. There are also days when high-altitude clouds at 10-12km, pushed eastward by stronger southwesterlies, can reduce daytime temperatures even without producing rain.

Calling the recent weather pattern unusual, blogger Pradeep John said thunderstorms have repeatedly skirted the city despite favourable conditions. On Friday, parts of north Chennai received around 3cm of rain while most other areas remained hot and dry.

“June is not a strong rainfall month for Chennai. But it is only a matter of time before we get some rain,” he said.