Scattered rainfall to continue in Tamil Nadu

Several places in interior and south Tamil Nadu may continue to get thundershowers till Friday.

Two weather systems have ensured subdued weather and scattered rainfall across the State, except in a few districts. On Wednesday, Mayanur in Karur district and Thuraiyur in Tiruchi district received the highest volume of rainfall of 7 cm.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is a north-south wind discontinuity while there is a change in wind direction from south interior Karnataka to north interior Tamil Nadu.

Moreover, an upper air cyclonic circulation that now lies over Comorin and Maldives area is set to influence thunderstorm activity over south and interior parts of Tamil Nadu till Friday.

The mercury level did not cross the 40-degrees Celsius mark in any weather station across the State on Wednesday. Even in mid-May, Chennai is spared of the searing heat. Normally, the period between May 4 and 28 is considered peak summer with maximum temperature going beyond 40 degrees Celsius.

Below normal

On Wednesday, the weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 35.2 degree Celsius and 36.5 degree Celsius, which is nearly two degrees below normal temperature.

The mercury level touched 42.6 degree Celsius on May 19 last year.

S. Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said this year the maximum temperature did not go beyond 40 degree Celsius in some coastal parts like Chennai, as the westerly wind that brings in hot air was not strong enough. The onset of sea breeze alone is not the criterion for temperature level.

On Tuesday, the sea breeze set in only around 3.45 p.m.

But the maximum temperature remained at 35 degree Celsius due to weak westerly winds, he said.