‘Isolated showers likely till weekend’

Many Chennaiites may complain of sultry weather but the mercury level in most parts of the State has remained close to normal for several days now. The day temperature has been relatively ‘less warm’ so far this summer, according to meteorologists.

On Monday, the weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam registered 33.6 degrees Celsius and 34.4 degrees Celsius respectively, which is nearly one degree lower than the average for the season. Several other stations across the State too recorded near normal temperature except for few places including Madurai and Tiruchi where day temperature had touched 38 degrees Celsius. Some weather stations in Tiruchi and Tirunelveli districts recorded moderate showers.

The Meteorological department has forecast that isolated showers may continue over parts of Tamil Nadu until the weekend, which is expected to keep the mercury level under control for a few more days.

Warmer nights

Officials said that the partly cloudy sky over the city would help the maximum temperature to remain normal at 34 degrees Celsius till Wednesday. However, nights may be warmer due to the rising humidity level.

S.B. Thampi, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said several factors, including wind direction and daytime clouding could be attributed to ‘less warmer’ days in March and April so far in many parts of the State. Several areas also received thunder showers due to the impact of local warming.

Advantage sea breeze

Chennai, a coastal area, has an advantage of onset of sea breeze to cool the city, he said.

The weather may remain relatively cool due to the easterly wind flow for another week.

According to weather expert Y.E.A. Raj, interior parts of the State experience more heat due to insolation followed by clouding and thunder showers.

Several areas of Tamil Nadu witnessed hot days due to ‘heat low’, which is intense daytime heating in north India, and wind direction changed briefly to hot westerlies during the last few days of March.

“People outdoors may feel more heat during the day even if the temperature recorded is normal,” he said.