Chennai and North Coastal Tamil Nadu to See Wet Spell Till August 27, Says RMC

North coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai localities such as Nungambakkam, Meenambakkam, Taramani, Poonamallee, and Ennore Port, are likely to remain under a wet spell until August 27, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

Sharp showers lashed several northern districts on Friday evening, bringing respite from the afternoon heat. Ranipet recorded 2 cm of rainfall, while parts of Tiruvannamalai and Chennai also received showers.

RMC officials stated that a cyclonic circulation associated with a weather system moving inland over the Chhattisgarh-north Odisha region is influencing the wet weather across the northern coastal belt.

V.R. Durai, Head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre at RMC, said the weather system is expected to track towards north Odisha by Sunday while remaining over land. He noted that Tamil Nadu's north coastal region, particularly Chennai, typically receives rainfall whenever a weather system persists over Odisha. Furthermore, an offshore trough near the Tamil Nadu coast is likely to strengthen and aid precipitation in the region.

The weather department forecast moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph at one or two places across Chennai, neighbouring districts, Ranipet, and Western Ghats districts until August 26. Isolated heavy rainfall is also predicted over parts of the Nilgiris district and the ghat areas of Coimbatore on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr. Durai added that active Southwest monsoon conditions in Kerala would trigger rainfall over the Western Ghats region. With increased moisture and cloud cover expected from Monday, temperatures across Tamil Nadu, including interior areas, are anticipated to drop.

On Friday, Tiruttani in Tiruvallur district recorded the highest maximum temperature in the State at 39.5 degrees Celsius, driven by dry Westerlies during weak monsoon conditions. The department expects the upcoming spell to help narrow the state's rain deficit by the end of August.