Subdued rainfall activity and strong low-level westerlies are expected to push up daytime temperatures in most parts of Tamil Nadu this week, making it feel like a second summer.
Meteorologists note such a rise in temperature has occurred in the past during July in the absence of monsoon cloud cover. Places like Chennai have experienced 40 degrees Celsius in July.
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has observed dry weather may largely prevail over the State and Puducherry this week and predicted a possibility of only isolated rainfall in the State till July 11.
For the past few days, many districts like MaduraI, Thanjavur and Chennai, have been experiencing scorching heat and gradual rise in maximum temperature. On Monday, the weather station in Madurai airport sizzled at 39.4 degree Celsius, the hottest temperature recorded in the State for the day.
Chennai Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam were not far behind and registered searing hot temperature of 39 degree Celsius, the highest temperature recorded so far this July. Just a few days into July and the city has already recorded its fourth highest July temperature in this decade.
Officials of the RMC noted dry weather and prevailing strong westerlies/north westerlies may trigger a rise in day temperature by two- four degree Celsius above average till Wednesday.
The RMC has issued a warning that such high maximum temperature coupled with high humidity particularly in coastal places may cause discomfort in isolated pockets of the State.
P.Senthamarai Kannan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai, said wind flow pattern is mostly concentrated around a low pressure area over southwest Gangetic west Bengal. This would mean subdued rainfall activity over TN for the next five days. While only western ghats region have a chance of isolated rainfall, other parts of the State may have to brace for a spike in daytime temperature.
Senior meteorologists noted the average maximum temperature drops from 36.3 degree Celsius from early July to 34.7 degree Celsius by the July end. Soaring day temperature is not uncommon in early July.
Y.E.A.Raj, former Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said “the incoming solar radiation does not undergo much change between May and July. Monsoon cloud cover, rainfall and onset of sea breeze in coastal places make all the difference.”
Noting westerly winds are stronger during the first half of July, dry weather and absence of sea breeze almost 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. triggered soaring mercury level on Sunday and Monday in Chennai. The temperature level rapidly changes and cooler days are more from July end. He recalled July 2015 was one of the hottest July of the decade, with the mercury level climbing above 40 degree Celsius on eight days in Nungambakkam. A similar spike was recorded on July 5, 2019 when day temperature touched 40.4 degree Celsius.
Published – July 08, 2025 12:38 am IST
