Tamil Nadu Weather: Karur, Kanyakumari Touch 34°C; Chennai Crosses 31°C, Rain Expected

Karur and Kanyakumari turned the hottest places in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, recording 34 degrees Celsius, as heat tightened its grip across the state. More than 20 districts, including Chennai, saw maximum temperatures cross the 30-degree mark, while hill station Kodaikanal remained the coolest at 20.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.

While plains sizzled, hill stations offered relative comfort. Kodaikanal recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 20.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Coonoor at 22.5 degrees Celsius and Udhagamandalam at 22.8 degrees Celsius. These cooler readings highlight the sharp contrast between the hill regions and the plains, where temperatures have been steadily climbing over the past few days.

The state capital Chennai recorded a maximum temperature of 30.5 degrees Celsius, which is slightly above normal for this time of the year but not unusual as Tamil Nadu gradually transitions towards warmer months. Chennai Airport recorded a marginally higher temperature of 31.3 degrees Celsius.

Several interior districts reported significantly higher temperatures. Erode and Salem registered 33.6 degrees Celsius, while Vellore, Dharmapuri and Tirupattur recorded 33.2 degrees Celsius each. Madurai Airport and Coimbatore Airport both recorded 32.6 degrees Celsius, and Palayamkottai touched 32.8 degrees Celsius. Coastal areas such as Nagapattinam, Karaikal and Cuddalore experienced relatively milder conditions, with temperatures remaining below 30 degrees Celsius.

However, relief from the heat is on the horizon. The weather department has forecast heavy rainfall in several southern districts beginning Saturday. Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar and Theni districts have been placed under yellow alert, indicating the likelihood of heavy rain at isolated locations. Additionally, on February 22, heavy rainfall is expected in Dindigul, Madurai and Theni districts.

The change in weather is attributed to a low-pressure area persisting over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. The system, accompanied by an upper air cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 kilometres above mean sea level, is expected to move west-northwestwards towards Sri Lanka and weaken gradually.

The weaather agency has also identified a trough extending from this system to the Lakshadweep region across south Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which is contributing to atmospheric instability. Furthermore, a fresh upper air cyclonic circulation has formed over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, another low-pressure area is likely to develop within the next 24 hours and move in a similar direction.

These evolving weather systems are expected to enhance rainfall activity across southern Tamil Nadu, bringing much-needed relief from rising temperatures. The rainfall will not only ease heat conditions but could also benefit agriculture and improve water availability in some regions.