Tamil Nadu Weather: Thunderstorms, Lightning Likely Across Coastal Areas

Parts of Tamil Nadu will witness rains on Tuesday, according to the daily bulletin released by the Regional Meteorological Centre.

The weather agency said that several districts across the state are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, while heavy showers are expected in parts of the southern and delta regions.

Districts including Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai remain on alert for intense spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Puducherry and the Karaikal region are also expected to witness wet weather conditions through the day.

In Chennai, the morning began under a partly cloudy sky, with humid winds moving steadily from the Bay of Bengal. Weather officials forecast light rain for the city and its neighbouring areas over the next two days. Temperatures are expected to remain steady, with maximum temperatures hovering between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius.

Across Tamil Nadu, isolated rainfall was recorded during the last 24 hours. Azhiyar in Coimbatore district received the highest rainfall at 47.4 millimetres, bringing relief to parched stretches near the foothills. Erode emerged as the hottest place in the state with a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, while Coimbatore Airport recorded one of the coolest temperatures in the plains at 21.4 degrees Celsius. In the hill regions, Kodaikanal remained chilly with a minimum temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius.

The RMC says the changing weather pattern is linked to a developing low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the North Sri Lanka coast. The system, which moved northwards on Tuesday morning, is expected to strengthen further over the next 48 hours. The associated cyclonic circulation currently extends up to 4.5 kilometres above mean sea level, influencing weather activity across southern India.

Weather experts are also closely monitoring signs of the approaching Southwest Monsoon. Conditions are gradually becoming favourable for the onset of the monsoon over parts of the South Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the end of this week.

As thunderclouds drift inland and sea winds intensify along the coast, Tamil Nadu prepares for another spell of pre-monsoon showers - a reminder that the long-awaited monsoon season may finally be knocking at the door.