Chennai Hits 38.8°C at Nungambakkam Before Evening Rain and Thunderstorm Forecast

Chennai experienced extreme heat on Monday as maximum temperatures neared 39°C, with weather stations in Nungambakkam recording 38.8°C and Meenambakkam recording 38.7°C, before light evening showers provided brief relief in localities including Taramani. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast light rainfall with thunderstorms over the next two days for the city, along with heavy rain warnings for Western Ghats districts toward the end of the week.

According to the RMC, the maximum temperature recorded at Nungambakkam was 3.6°C above normal for this time of year, while Meenambakkam was 3.4°C above normal. Elsewhere in the state, Madurai city was the hottest location at 40.6°C, followed closely by Madurai Airport at 40.4°C.

Light showers swept through parts of Chennai on Monday evening, offering respite after a day of blistering heat. Rainfall recorded up to 7:30 p.m. reached 30 mm in Taramani, while the Meenambakkam ISRO station logged 25 mm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that a feeble atmospheric trough along and off the Tamil Nadu coast in the lower tropospheric levels persists. This weather system is expected to favour continued thunderstorm activity across the state over the coming days.

Heavy rainfall has been forecast for the Nilgiris district on July 30. The heavy rain zone is projected to expand on July 31 and August 1 to cover the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Theni districts, alongside moderate rainfall across other Western Ghats districts during the same period.

Despite the rain forecast for hill areas, high daytime temperatures will persist across much of Tamil Nadu. The meteorological department expects maximum temperatures to stay 2°C to 4°C above normal in several parts of the state through July 30, with no major changes anticipated through July 31.

For Chennai, weather officials predict partly cloudy conditions over the next two days, with light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The city is projected to record maximum temperatures between 38°C and 39°C, and minimum temperatures ranging from 29°C to 30°C.