Tamil Nadu Weather: Chennai Likely To Get Light Rains Today As Hotter Days Ahead In KTCC

Chennai and its neighbouring districts are likely to witness a sharp rise in temperatures over the coming days, with weather experts warning that the city could experience one of its hottest spells of the season from May 17 onwards. The scorching conditions are expected to affect the entire KTCC region - Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai and Chengalpattu - along with parts of north Tamil Nadu including Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Villupuram.

Weather blogger R Pradeep John, popularly known as the Tamil Nadu Weatherman, said the heat is expected to intensify significantly between May 17 and May 27. In a social media post, he noted that Chennai and surrounding districts close to Andhra Pradesh could see temperatures soaring to 41°C or even 42°C during the peak of the heatwave-like conditions.

According to him, Chennai has been recording daytime temperatures of around 35°C to 36°C over the past few days. However, the mercury is now expected to climb steeply next week as dry and hot continental winds begin dominating the region.

Despite the forecast of rising temperatures, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted light rain activity in Chennai on Wednesday. The city is likely to experience a partly cloudy sky with chances of brief spells of rain in some areas, offering temporary relief from the heat.

The weather department has also indicated that conditions are gradually becoming favourable for the advance of the Southwest Monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands around May 16.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area that formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. The associated cyclonic circulation currently extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.

Meteorologists say the system is being closely monitored, although it is not expected to directly impact Chennai in a major way at present. The trough extending from the low-pressure system towards the Comorin region across south Tamil Nadu has also become less marked.

The RMC further stated that light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places over the Western Ghats and delta districts of Tamil Nadu, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some areas. Puducherry and Karaikal may also receive light rainfall.

Heavy rain has been forecast at isolated places in the Nilgiris district, where thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are also likely.

While interior Tamil Nadu could see scattered rain activity returning from May 18 onwards, Chennai residents are being advised to prepare for hotter and more humid days ahead. Weather experts also suggest that the Southwest Monsoon may reach Kerala during the last week of May, potentially setting the stage for seasonal rainfall across south India in early June.