Chennai weather: Cyclonic storm in the offing over Bay of Bengal

CHENNAI: A low pressure area, which is expected to develop over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the end of this month.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre here, “A low pressure area is very likely to develop over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka around April 25. It is very likely to intensify into a depression by April 27. It is very likely to move northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast across the east coast of Sri Lanka and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by April 29.”

However, Skymet weather says the weather system which is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal may not have any effect on coastal areas of Tamil Nadu including Chennai. “On April 29 and 30, it will move over the central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal. While on May 1, it would be close to the proximity of Bangladesh and Myanmar near the Arakan coast. The system would be moving in favourable weather conditions as Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) would be around 29 degrees Celsius that are conducive for the formation of cyclonic storms.”

“Despite of all these favourable factors, this storm, the very first one of this season doesn't seem intense in nature. When the monsoon current is strong/aggressive/active, it tends to suppress the cyclonic storm,” Skymet said in a post on its website.

On Monday, several districts of Tamil Nadu including Vellore, Dharmapuri, Salem, the Nilgiris and Kanyakumari recorded rainfall while Chennai city saw some traces of rain. The IMD has forecasts light to moderate rain in isolated places over Tamil Nadu till April 27.

Thundershowers with gusty winds (45-50kmph) and lightning likely to occur in isolated places over Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. For Chennai, the next 48 hours, the sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 36 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius, respectively.

While southern and interior districts of Tamil Nadu as well as neighbouring districts of Chennai are already receiving pre-monsoon showers, the rain and the sea breeze has been having an impact on the city with the temperatures dropping from 35 degrees Celsius to 33.8 degrees Celsius.