Tuesday’s 42.3°C at Nungambakkam is highest in TN

Chennai: At 42.3 °C, Nungambakkam observatory recorded the highest temperature in the state on Tuesday.
It was the second instance that day temperature in Nungambakkam, which covers city’s core localities, crossed 42°C this month, only the seventh time since 1948. But a brief spell of rain with thunderstorms in the evening pushed the temperatures down to 28 °C.
Weathermen said there are chances of light to moderate rain in the city and suburbs for the next two days. Bloggers said day temperatures would continue to remain high till the end of this week.
On Tuesday, after Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam registered 42.3°C and 42.4 °C, three and four degrees above normal, dark clouds hovered above some parts of west and southern city and suburban localities. This was followed by strong winds and sharp spells in some areas lasting for 30 minutes. The evening spells brought 10.6mm of rain in Nungambakkam, 2.5mm in Anna University, 5mm in Taramani and 5.5mm in Puzhal.
Meteorologists said it was a convective rainfall triggered by heat in the land and the early arrival of seabreeze.
“For the next 48 hours, the city and suburbs may receive light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning. Temperatures may be a maximum of around 40-41 deg C and a minimum of around 29-30 deg C. Skies may be partly cloudy,” said an IMD bulletin.
Blogger Pradeep John, in a series of tweets, said since June 3, 1948 when temperatures touched 43.3 deg C in Nungambakkam, it has been only sixth time mercury crossed 42 °C in June. “There may be respite from high temperatures from June 10-11,” he said.