Tamil Nadu Weather: Chennai Swelters as Temperatures Near 40°C, Light Rain Likely

Chennai continued to reel under intense summer heat on Tuesday, with the city recording some of the highest temperatures in Tamil Nadu even as weather officials forecast light rain and thunderstorms during the evening and night hours.

According to the latest weather data, Chennai Airport emerged as the hottest location in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 39.7°C, while Nungambakkam in Chennai registered 39.0°C. The scorching conditions were accompanied by high humidity levels, making outdoor conditions particularly uncomfortable for residents.

Several other coastal districts also witnessed elevated temperatures. Cuddalore and Parangipettai recorded 39.4°C each, while Vellore touched 39.3°C. Nagapattinam registered 38.9°C and Puducherry recorded 38.8°C, indicating the persistence of above-normal temperatures across parts of northern and coastal Tamil Nadu.

In contrast, the hill stations remained significantly cooler. Udhagamandalam aka Ooty recorded a maximum temperature of just 17.6°C and a minimum temperature of 13.2°C, the lowest among the hill regions. Kodaikanal reported a maximum of 17.5°C. Meanwhile, Kanyakumari recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the plains at 22.4°C.

Meteorologists noted that maximum temperatures fell by 2°C to 4°C at isolated locations over Tamil Nadu during the past 24 hours. However, temperatures remained 2°C to 3°C above normal in some pockets of the state, while staying near normal elsewhere.

For Chennai, the forecast suggests that the city will continue to experience hot and humid weather over the next two days. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 39°C and 40°C on Tuesday before easing slightly to 38°C-39°C on Wednesday. Minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 30°C to 31°C.

The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Chennai and its suburbs. Light rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely during the evening or night hours on both Tuesday and Wednesday. While the rainfall may provide temporary relief from the heat, humid conditions are expected to persist.

Elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, weather activity is expected to increase as conditions remain favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into the remaining parts of the state over the next four to five days. An upper-air cyclonic circulation over North Interior Karnataka is contributing to the evolving weather pattern.

The Nilgiris, Kanyakumari district and the ghat areas of Coimbatore and Tirunelveli districts have been placed under a yellow alert for Tuesday. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in these regions, raising the possibility of localized waterlogging and disruptions.

As the monsoon gradually advances across Tamil Nadu, residents can expect a mix of high temperatures, humidity and scattered rainfall activity in the coming days, with Chennai likely to receive only light showers while the western ghats and southern districts witness more significant rain.