Chennai Weather: City Braces for Rains as Southwest Monsoon Covers Entire Tamil Nadu

Chennai and its neighbouring districts are likely to experience moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next two days as the Southwest Monsoon has now covered the entire state of Tamil Nadu, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

The weather department has forecast generally cloudy skies over Chennai on Thursday and Friday, with moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning expected in several parts of the city and its suburbs. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain between 35°C and 36°C, while minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 28°C to 29°C.

For Thursday, moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely at isolated places across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Similar conditions are expected to continue on Friday, bringing relief from the recent spell of hot and humid weather.

While Chennai is expected to receive moderate rainfall, heavier showers are forecast for parts of western and southern Tamil Nadu. The RMC has issued a Yellow Alert for the Nilgiris, Kanyakumari districts and the ghat areas of Coimbatore and Tirunelveli districts on Thursday. These regions may receive heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph.

The Yellow Alert will remain in effect on Friday for the Nilgiris, Kanyakumari, Ranipet and Tiruvallur districts, as well as the ghat areas of Coimbatore and Tirunelveli, where heavy rainfall is likely at isolated locations.

The rainfall activity is expected to continue through the weekend. On Saturday, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely across many parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Isolated places in North Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghat districts may witness moderate rainfall along with gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.

On Sunday, similar weather conditions are expected to prevail, with moderate rain forecast for isolated areas of North Tamil Nadu, the Delta districts and the Western Ghat region.

Meteorologists attribute the widespread rain activity to favourable monsoon conditions and multiple weather systems influencing the region. An upper-air cyclonic circulation is currently present over the west-central Bay of Bengal adjoining the North Coastal Andhra Pradesh region at about 1.5 km above mean sea level. Another upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas at around 3.1 km above mean sea level. These systems are enhancing moisture inflow and supporting rainfall across Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Tondi recorded the highest maximum temperature in Tamil Nadu at 39.5°C. Coimbatore Airport registered the lowest minimum temperature among the plains at 22.8°C, while Uthagamandalam remained the coolest location in the hill regions.

With the monsoon now firmly established across the state, residents in Chennai and several districts can expect intermittent showers, thunderstorms and cloudy conditions over the coming days, while people living in heavy rain alert zones have been advised to remain cautious.