Nippy weather to persist for two days; weather system to bring rain to Tamil Nadu from January 23

Nippy weather, with mist or fog cover, may continue in many parts of Tamil Nadu for the next two days. However, nights are likely to turn warmer once the weather system over the Bay of Bengal moves closer, bringing light to moderate rain in parts of the State from January 23.

Many places in the State experienced misty mornings and chilly nights for the past two days as the minimum temperature dropped by two or three degrees Celsius below normal. On Tuesday, Tiruttani recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius in the plains of Tamil Nadu. Among the hill stations, Kodaikanal recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius.

Chennai’s Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded the minimum temperature of 20. 3 degrees Celsius and 19. 3 degrees Celsius respectively on Tuesday.

The Regional Meteorological Centre said dry weather and clear skies would prevail for a couple of days as the Northeast monsoon retreated from the region on Monday. None of the weather stations recorded rainfall till 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

With the minimum temperature expected to drop below normal in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry till January 22, cooler nights are likely to continue. Chennai too may experience a night temperature of 19-20 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

V.R. Durai, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC, said easterly wave activity would influence a wet spell in the State later this week. The prevailing upper air circulation over the Southeast Bay of Bengal would bring rainfall to the State from Friday. Rainfall that would initially occur in the coastal areas is expected to spread to other parts during the weekend. “We expect significant rainfall to begin over the weekend. However, the intensity of the rainfall can be determined on the basis of the movement of the system. Cloudy sky would lead to warmer nights after Friday,” he said.

The State has recorded 25.8 mm of surplus rainfall so far during this winter season since January 1. Many districts, including Coimbatore, Thanjavur and the Nilgiris, have reported surplus rainfall during this period.