Tamil Nadu Weather: Vellore, Karur Top at 39.5°C; Isolated Rain in Ghats

Tamil Nadu continued to reel under intense summer conditions on Friday, with interior districts recording soaring temperatures, while a few hill and Western Ghat regions witnessed isolated rainfall.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Vellore and Karur Paramathi emerged as the hottest locations in the state, each recording a maximum temperature of 39.5°C. Madurai Airport followed closely at 39.0°C, while Tiruchirappalli registered 38.8°C. Several other interior districts including Erode (38.6°C), Thirupattur (37.8°C), Namakkal (37.5°C) and Dharmapuri (37.2°C) also experienced above-normal daytime temperatures, reflecting the intensifying summer heat across the plains.

The RMC noted that maximum temperatures were 2-3°C above normal in districts such as Vellore, Karur Paramathi and Kanyakumari, while remaining near normal across the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

In contrast, coastal regions recorded relatively milder temperatures, though humidity levels remained high. Chennai Airport registered a maximum of 35.7°C, while the city station recorded 33.7°C. Other coastal areas such as Cuddalore (34.7°C), Nagapattinam (33.5°C) and Karaikal (32.8°C) also saw moderate temperatures accompanied by elevated humidity levels of over 75-80%, contributing to discomfort.

Meanwhile, parts of south Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghats experienced isolated rainfall. Kunderipallam in Erode district recorded the highest rainfall at 6 cm. Hill stations such as Kodaikanal received 11.6 mm of rain, while Udagamandalam and Valparai recorded 6.4 mm and 6.8 mm respectively. These regions also remained significantly cooler compared to the plains, with maximum temperatures staying well below 30°C. Kodaikanal recorded a maximum of 20.9°C, while Udagamandalam and Coonoor registered 20.6°C and 25.2°C respectively.

The weather department stated that dry conditions prevailed over most parts of the state, with rainfall limited to isolated pockets in the southern and hilly regions. No significant change in maximum temperatures was observed over the past 24 hours, and similar conditions are expected to persist in the short term.

On the minimum temperature front, Madurai City recorded one of the lowest readings in the plains at around 21.5°C, while Kodaikanal registered the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 12.2°C, highlighting the stark contrast between the plains and hill areas.

Overall, the weather pattern indicates a steady intensification of summer across Tamil Nadu, particularly in inland districts, while coastal regions continue to grapple with high humidity. With no major change in temperature trends forecast, residents can expect continued heatwave-like conditions in the coming days, especially in northern and central parts of the state.