Tamil Nadu Weather Alert: 4 Districts over 41.0°C, Ooty Records Hottest Day In 7 Decades

Four districts in Tamil Nadu on Sunday experienced scorching temperatures exceeding 41.0°C, with Erode topping the charts with a maximum temperature of 42.0°C, according to the Regional Meteorological Department.

Notably, Ooty recorded a temperature of 29°C, marking not only the highest temperature for the month of April since 1951 but also an all-time record for the hottest day ever recorded since 1951.

During the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am today, there was minimal fluctuation in maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, generally ranging from above normal to significantly above normal by 2 to 4°C in certain pockets of the interior plains. Elsewhere across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, temperatures remained mostly near normal.

The highest maximum temperature, reaching 42.0°C, was recorded in Erode, marking an increase of 3.6°C from the average. Furthermore, six other stations reported maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C: Tirupattur at 41.4°C (+3.6°C), Dharmapuri at 41.2°C (+4.1°C), Vellore at 41.1°C (+2.3°C), Tiruttani at 40.6°C (+1.7°C), Karur Paramathi at 40.2°C (+3.1°C), and Salem at 40.1°C (+2.4°C).

In the interior plains of Tamil Nadu, temperatures ranged between 38°C to 40°C. Coastal areas of Tamilnadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal experienced milder temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C, while hilly areas saw temperatures between 22°C to 30°C. Chennai recorded maximum temperatures within the normal range, with MBK at 38.6°C (+1.9°C) and NBK at 36.0°C (+0.4°C).

For over 10 days now, Tamil Nadu has been witnessing a heatwave. "Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated pockets over North Interior Tamil Nadu," the statement said.

"Due to humid air & high temperatures, hot & discomfort weather is very likely to prevail at isolated pockets over rest of Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area," the RMD added.

According to the Regional Meteorological Service, Chennai is expected to experience partly cloudy skies. The maximum temperature is forecasted to range between 37-38°C, while the minimum temperature is expected to be around 28-29°C.