The northeast monsoon has ended in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday and dry weather will continue to prevail over the State till the weekend, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Winter conditions have set in over Chennai and January is considered the coldest month of the year as the city’s average minimum temperature is around 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Lower temperature
The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam have recorded a minimum temperature of 20.2 degrees Celsius and 19.3 degrees Celsius respectively on Wednesday, which is nearly two degrees Celsius lower than the normal.
N. Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said the Department had declared the end of NE monsoon as there was no significant weather system that could benefit the State. Moreover, the wind pattern has also changed to north easterlies and temperature has also dropped, signalling winter conditions.
While the State has ended with 24% deficiency in rain, Chennai has recorded a deficit of 55% rainfall during NE monsoon in 2018.
“Cold air from the land is prevailing now. Interior parts of the State may experience foggy conditions during early morning hours,” he said.
Chennai will experience a maximum temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is likely to be around 20 degrees Celsius till Saturday.