Mild weather to prevail over T.N. this week; rainfall activity to increase from August 22

Mild weather may continue over most parts of the State for a few more days. Though heavy rainfall may taper off in a day, active Southwest monsoon condition is likely to influence an increase in rainfall over Tamil Nadu from August 22.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, headquartered in Chennai, has forecast that the presence of weather systems will keep the temperatures under control and below normal in several places, even though chances of heavy rainfall may reduce this week.

B.Amudha, Head (Additional-in charge), RMC, noted that the well-marked low pressure area, which is likely to intensify into a depression and cross south the Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts on Tuesday, may not have a direct impact over the State. However, the stratified cloud bands from the prevailing weather system will bring relief from heat during the day. Chennai too is likely to experience mild weather and overcast conditions and light, moderate showers in some areas on Tuesday.

Numerical Weather Prediction models indicated that active southwest monsoon current is likely to trigger a slight increase in rainfall activity over the State and Puducherry from August 22, she said.

During the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, several places across the State received rainfall, with Gudalur in Nilgiris district recording the heaviest – 14 cm for the day. The downpour in Nilgiris and ghat areas of Coimbatore district was attributed to the presence of an offshore trough in Arabian sea.

Rainfall over various places of the State continued on Monday as well. The weather stations like Valparai, Udhagamandalam, Tiruttani, Yercaud, Salem and Villivakkam, Meenambakkam in Chennai received light rainfall till 6.30 p.m.

With the weather system prevailing over Bay of Bengal, the RMC has predicted strong winds gusting up to a speed of 50 kmph is likely to prevail over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area on Tuesday. The State will experience isolated rainfall and mild weather this week.

This Southwest monsoon so far has delivered normal rainfall over TN. The State has recorded 19.1 cm of rainfall, which is 13% more than its average since June 1. Dindigul, Karur, Tiruppur and Ramanathapuram are among the districts that have recorded far below their monsoon average.