The scattered rainfall this week has helped maintain the State’s cumulative rainfall at 43 cm, nearly 2% above its seasonal average since October 1.
| Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B
With dry weather condition set to return over Tamil Nadu from Friday, many parts of the State are likely to experience cooler night temperatures till December 23.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast that the minimum temperature is likely to drop by two to four degrees Celsius in some parts of the State and Puducherry during this period.
During the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, Nalumukku and Oothu in Tirunelveli district recorded a heavy rainfall of 14 cm each.
Many other parts in south Tamil Nadu received moderate to heavy rainfall, even as northern districts largely remained dry.
Dharmapuri and Tiruttani recorded a night temperature of 16.5 degrees Celsius, the coldest among the weather stations in the plains of the State.
B. Geetha, Scientist E, RMC, said cloudless skies would enhance radiation cooling, leading to a dip in night temperature.
“The Northeast monsoon is reaching its final leg. However, such lull phases are interspersed with sharp rainspells. We are expecting isolated rainfall to occur particularly in the coastal and adjoining districts around Christmas,” she said.
The department considers December 31 as the official end of northeast monsoon, though the State may continue to receive rain in January next year.
The RMC has also forecast ground frost in isolated pockets over the higher ranges of the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal during night/early hours on Friday.
Mist/haze may prevail over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the early morning hours till December 22.
Chances for ground frost are high whenever minimum temperature in hilly regions drop sharply, like in Kodaikanal that recorded 5.7 degrees Celsius and Udhagamandalam, 8.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, Ms. Geetha said.
The scattered rainfall this week has helped maintain the State’s cumulative rainfall at 43 cm, nearly 2% above its seasonal average since October 1.
Chennai may experience mist cover during the early morning hours of Friday and record a minimum temperature of around 21 degrees Celsius.
Published – December 19, 2025 12:25 am IST
