RMC Forecasts Rain and Thunderstorms for Chennai and TN Districts Until September 8

Chennai and several districts across Tamil Nadu are set to experience an extended wet spell through September 8, following spells of rain that caused evening traffic snarls across the city on Thursday. The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast light rain at isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorms at one or two locations, across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal over this period.

On Friday, light to moderate rain alongside thunderstorms has been forecast at isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Tiruchy, Madurai, and districts along the Western Ghats. For Chennai specifically, the meteorological department anticipated partly cloudy skies, with light to moderate showers and thunderstorms likely to hit some areas during the evening and night hours.

According to the RMC, the ongoing isolated rainfall activity across parts of the state is being triggered by a persisting feeble trough in the lower tropospheric levels, running along and off the Tamil Nadu coast.

The wet conditions are expected to persist into the weekend. On September 8, the weather agency has forecast light to moderate rain at isolated locations over northern Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats districts, Puducherry, and Karaikal, while the remainder of Tamil Nadu is likely to receive light rain at isolated spots.

Regarding temperatures, the RMC noted that no major variation in maximum temperatures is expected over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal during this phase. Chennai's maximum and minimum temperatures are predicted to hover around 37°C and 27°C, respectively. However, interior Tamil Nadu is expected to see a slight warming trend, with temperatures remaining 2°C to 4°C above normal in select pockets.

Statewide weather observations from Thursday showed that Palayamkottai logged the state's highest maximum temperature at 40.4°C. In the plains, the lowest minimum temperature was recorded at the Coimbatore airport at 22.5°C.