Chennai recorded its highest daytime temperatures of the year so far on Thursday, with the mercury hitting 38 degrees Celsius at Nungambakkam and 40.2 degrees Celsius at Meenambakkam. Weather officials stated that the city and its suburbs may continue to experience scorching conditions due to the arrival of hot and dry northerly winds from Rayalaseema, where near-heatwave conditions prevail.
Temperature Forecast for Today
Today, maximum temperatures may touch 40 to 41 degrees Celsius. V R Durai, director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, explained that the spike is caused by these northerly winds replacing the usual sea breeze, which had previously kept temperatures in check. The shift in wind direction from easterlies to northerlies is linked to a trough, or wind discontinuity, a zone in the lower atmosphere where wind direction changes abruptly.
Expected Temperature Trends
Durai noted that temperatures may touch 41 degrees Celsius at Meenambakkam. However, at Nungambakkam, temperatures may remain below 40 degrees Celsius due to its proximity to the coast. High temperatures are expected to persist for the next two days before dropping by about 1 degree Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast hot and humid conditions today, with temperatures ranging between 40 to 41 degrees Celsius and 29 to 30 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists indicated that some relief may arrive around May 3, when there is a possibility of light rainfall over some coastal areas, including Chennai. Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist at Skymet Weather, added that heavier rainfall may be confined to interior districts.
