The first weather system of the pre-monsoon season is marked as a low-pressure area over southern parts of the central Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial region. Inclement weather is confined to the sea only and is likely to extend to Sri Lanka in the next 24 hours. Peripheral clouds have already reached the east coast of Sri Lanka and will cover the entire island country by tomorrow. Tamil Nadu braces up for the inclement weather between 04th and 06th Mar.
Low pressure is likely to become well marked shortly and the possibility of having 1st depression of the season, albeit mild, can not be ruled out. The system is heading west-northwest and closing in Sri Lanka coast. It is rather unusual to have strong systems over Sri Lanka and Bay at this point in time.
Ongoing intensification under favourable environmental conditions is a precursor for heavy weather activity over Sri Lanka, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin region and southwest BoB. The belt of intense weather will further strike Tamil Nadu, the coastal parts to start with.
Heavy to very heavy rain and thundershowers are likely over the northern half of coastal Tamil Nadu, between Chennai and Nagapattinam on 04th and 05th March. Puducherry and Karaikal fall within the strike range of this system. Lightning and thunderstorms, accompanied with squally winds are expected between 03rd and 05th Mar, more intense on 04thMar. Capital city Chennai will experience severe weather conditions after a gap of more than 2 months. This will be the 1st onslaught of Pre Monsoon, for the city and state, a bit early in the season.
Weather activity will stray into the interiors on 04th and 05th covering Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvallur and Tindivanam. Further, stormy activity will spill over to coastal parts of South Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. The intensity of the weather will substantially reduce on 06thMar and further lies on the next day.