Historic Rainfall: June 2024 Sets New Records In Chennai's Weather History

As the city of Chennai experiences its annual monsoon season, all eyes turn to the rainfall figures for June 2024. Traditionally, Chennai receives an average rainfall of around 60 mm during this month, accompanied by just four days of rain. Consequently, exceeding the 200 mm mark is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

What makes this year particularly noteworthy is not just the total rainfall, but also the number of rainy days. Meenambakkam recorded an unprecedented 11 rainy days, while Nungambakkam saw 9, adding to the uniqueness of the situation, R Pradeep John, who gives updates about weather on his page - Tamil Nadu Weatherman - said.

A glance at the historical data reveals the top June rainfall figures for Meenambakkam dating back to 1813:

• 1996: 697.5 mm
• 1991: 263.9 mm
• 1870: 219.2 mm
• 2024: 218.9 mm (with 9 days remaining)
• 2023: 210.8 mm
• 1826: 197.4 mm
• 1886: 194.8 mm
• 1868: 182.6 mm

Similarly, Nungambakkam's top June rainfall since 1950 is as follows:

• 1996: 512 mm
• 2024: 262.3 mm (with 9 days remaining)
• 2023: 228.3 mm
• 1991: 217 mm

It's worth noting that the record-breaking rainfall of 1996 remains unmatched and is unlikely to be surpassed, even after a thousand years. Remarkably, Chennai has experienced monthly rains exceeding 200 mm for two consecutive years during what is traditionally considered one of its weakest months.

Source: Tamil Nadu Weatherman

Weather Report

According to the Regional Meteorological Department (RMC), in the 24-hour period ending at 08:30 IST today (25.06.2024), maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal were mostly near normal, with isolated areas experiencing temperatures 2-3°C above normal. The highest maximum temperature was recorded at Tondi: 38.3°C.

Maximum temperatures ranged from 33-37°C over the plains of North Interior Tamil Nadu, 34-36°C over the plains of South Interior Tamil Nadu, and 35-38°C over North Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. In South Coastal Tamil Nadu, temperatures ranged from 30-38°C, while hilly areas saw temperatures between 16°C and 23°C.

Chennai recorded normal maximum temperatures, with NBK at 35.6°C (down by 1.4°C) and MBK at 35.8°C (down by 1.2°C).

For the next two days, the RMC has predicted heavy to very heavy rain over Nilgiris district and Ghat areas of Coimbatore district. "Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Kanyakumari district; Ghat areas of Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts," the weather agency said in its daily bulletin.