Many parts of T.N., including Chennai, see summer-like heat this September

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In Meenambakkam, the highest day temperature measured was 38.5°C this month, which set the record for second highest temperature this decade in the city. | Photo Credit: M. SRINATH

This September is turning out to be more summer-like in parts of Tamil Nadu, with maximum temperatures remaining above normal in several places.

Officials of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, attributed elevated temperatures in the interior parts and coastal areas such as Chennai to the weak Southwest monsoon and lack of cloud cover so far this month. While there have been similar instances at various stations in the past, this September has been unusually hot in many places.

Places such as Erode, Palayamkottai, Vellore, Tiruchi, and Madurai have been among the hottest places in the State this month. The day temperature has crossed 40°C at some weather stations in these locations earlier this month. On Thursday, several places sizzled with the mercury level soaring to 4°C or 5°C above normal. For the third consecutive day, Tiruchi recorded the highest day temperature of 39.5°C in the State.

Nungambakkam in Chennai recorded 38.1°C, making it the decade’s second highest September maximum temperature recorded in the city. The city’s all-time September record is 38.9°C, registered in 1883. In Meenambakkam, the highest day temperature measured was 38.5°C this month, which set the record for second highest temperature this decade in the city.

However, the RMC has predicted a change in weather conditions as increased rainfall activity particularly in north and interior Tamil Nadu would cool down sweltering heat gradually from Friday.

Pointing out that most parts of Tamil Nadu experienced unusually hot weather for September, officials said El Niño, a global weather phenomenon, had influenced the September weather conditions in Tamil Nadu too.

V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said the current wet spell would be triggered by a trough extending up to the Gulf of Mannar and not essentially because of monsoon influence. It would bring cloud cover and rainfall only to specific regions. The absence of cloud cover and prevailing wind patterns contributed to such high temperatures. The flow of relatively dry southerly winds over the State and lack of adequate thundercloud development sustained the rise in temperature, he said.

With the trough expected to shift its position, rainfall is expected to increase in north Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and Vellore and interior parts, from Friday and bring down the temperature, he said.

Meteorologists said September usually brought considerable rainfall to Tamil Nadu. Y.E.A. Raj, former deputy Director-General of Meteorology, said the break in monsoon conditions with the southwesterly component and wind convergence, which helped thundercloud development, did not occur significantly this season. Rainfall over the next few weeks may narrow the rainfall deficit.

Officials added that weather models were being monitored and radars were undergoing maintenance as part of monsoon preparedness measures.

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