CHENNAI: Residents sweltered under searing heat on Friday with mercury rising above the 40°C mark in city core areas and the suburbs.
Nungambakkam weather station breached the mark for the first time and recorded 41.2°C while Meenambakkam, for the second time, registering 41.8°C on Friday afternoon.
While IMD continues to issue heatwave warnings for pockets of the city and neighbouring districts, meteorologists and bloggers said city residents may get respite from heat from Saturday with the weakening of land breeze and the early entry of seabreeze. For the next 48 hours, temperatures in the city and suburbs are likely to be around a maximum of 40°C and a minimum of 28°C.
An IMD official said, "We can expect temperatures to drop from Saturday because of entry of seabreeze and weakening northeasterlies." There is also a chance of light rain at isolated places in interior districts for April 6. The record temperatures in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam on Friday were 7.4°C and 6.9°C above normal of 34.5°C for April.
Private forecasters and bloggers said though there may be a drop, temperatures may still be a degree or two above normal. According to forecast by Skymet Weather, maximum temperatures could be around 37°C on Saturday and could drop to 35°C next week. Blogger Pradeep John said on April 6, land breeze will be absent and there could be a fall in temperatures along the coastal areas.