Tamil Nadu Weather Update: 22 Districts Above 30°C, Erode Tops Charts at 34.2°C

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a spike in daytime temperatures in early February, with heat levels rising across large parts of the state.

Weather data released by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on Tuesday showed that 22 districts recorded maximum temperatures exceeding 30°C, signalling the onset of summer-like conditions weeks ahead of schedule.

Erode emerged as the hottest place in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 34.2°C, the highest in Tamil Nadu for the day. It was followed by Karur Paramathi (33.5°C), Madurai Airport and Namakkal (33.2°C each), and Vellore (33.1°C). Several other interior districts, including Salem (32.5°C), Coimbatore Airport and Kanyakumari (32.2°C each), and Madurai city (32.0°C), also experienced notable daytime heat.

Even coastal and delta regions, which usually remain relatively cooler in February, saw temperatures inching upwards. Chennai recorded 30.5°C, while Nagapattinam touched 30.0°C. Puducherry and Dharmapuri logged 30.2°C each, indicating that the heat was spread across plains, coastal belts, and interior districts alike. However, some places such as Tondi (29.4°C), Cuddalore (29.3°C), and Valparai (29.0°C) stayed just below the 30-degree mark.

In contrast, the hill stations continued to offer respite from the rising heat. Kodaikanal recorded a maximum temperature of 19.2°C, while Udagamandalam (Ooty) and Coonoor registered 19.6°C and 20.8°C, respectively.

On the night-time front, the weather agency noted no significant change in minimum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal over the past 24 hours. Minimum temperatures were below normal by 2-3°C at isolated places over Tamil Nadu and Karaikal, while remaining near normal elsewhere. Interestingly, Erode also recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the plains at 17.6°C, reflecting a sharp day-night temperature contrast. In the hills, Kodaikanal saw the lowest minimum temperature at 7.3°C.

Meteorologically, light to moderate easterly and northeasterly winds are prevailing over the region at lower tropospheric levels. Meanwhile, the upper air cyclonic circulation over central Kerala, observed at about 1.5 km above mean sea level, has weakened and become less marked.

Amid these changing conditions, the RMC has issued a yellow alert from February 10 to 12, warning of shallow to moderate fog during early morning hours in isolated pockets of Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, and the Nilgiris. In addition, mist or haze is likely over parts of Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu.

A similar alert has also been extended for February 13 and 14 for Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, indicating continued early-morning visibility issues even as daytime temperatures remain on the higher side.