Chennai has been reeling under blazing heat for the last few days. In absence of any weather activity, hot and sultry weather has wreak havoc over the capital city.
Day temperatures have been constantly settling in high 30s, several notches above the normal average of 35°C. On April 23, Chennai recorded highest day maximum of the season at 40.8°C, which is highest since 2007.
Nights are even worse with minimum temperatures settling in high 20s, again way above normal.
On Monday, Minambakkam Observatory recorded day temperature at 38.6°C and night temperature of 27.7 mm. While Numgambakkam Observatory witnessed day maximum at 36.6°C and minimum temperature at 29.4°C.
Besides soaring mercury, it’s the high levels of humidity that has doubled discomfort for the people. The average humidity level hovers around 70%.
Weather forecast for Chennai
According to Skymet Weather, no relief is likely during next few days as pre-Monsoon rain and thundershowers remains far and few. The city has remained practically dry since the beginning of April.
Chennai tends to get rainfall on account of either a wind discontinuity or a trough. At present, we do not see anyone of these weather features.
Chennai is located in a rain shadow and thus, does not get to see much rain in April. The normal average rainfall for the month stands at 7.7 mm.
During this time of the year, city generally gets thunderstorm and thundershowers that happens on confluence of sea and land breeze during afternoon or evening hours.
However as May approaches, pre-Monsoon activity picks up pace and city witness average rainfall of 43.9 mm.
Major relief only comes in with the onset of Southwest Monsoon. Again, it does not rain as much as in neighbouring Kerala but change in wind pattern restricts the substantial rise in mercury.
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