Chennai Weather: City To Witness Light Rain Today; IMD Forecasts Week-Long Downpour

Chennai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a generally cloudy sky with light rain with a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius. IMD has also issued a 'yellow alert' for thunderstorms and lightning on Monday. The weather forecast for Chennai over the coming week suggests a gradual rise in cloudiness and precipitation.

Weekly Forecast

The upcoming week's weather forecast for Chennai indicates a gradual increase in cloud cover and precipitation. On July 1st, expect a generally cloudy sky with light rain, accompanied by temperatures ranging from a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius. This pattern continues into July 2nd and 3rd, with temperatures rising slightly to between 28 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius and light rain persisting under mostly cloudy conditions.

As we move towards July 4th and 5th, the cloud cover remains, but the intensity of rain is expected to increase to moderate levels, with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees Celsius for the minimum and 36 degrees Celsius for the maximum. By July 6th and 7th, rain becomes more prominent, indicating potentially heavier downpours, especially on the 7th, with temperatures ranging from 27 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius.

Throughout the period, residents are advised to stay updated with local forecasts and prepare for varying intensities of rainfall and cloudy conditions.

As per a TOI report, since June 1, the Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam observatories have recorded 23 cm and 27 cm of rainfall, respectively, marking an excess of 15 cm and 19 cm above their respective averages. Typically, Nungambakkam receives about 6 cm of rain in June. This precipitation has been attributed to wind convergence, triggering convection and subsequent rainfall during the late evening hours.

Meteorologists explained that during summer months, the typical rainfall pattern involves evening or late evening thunderstorms in the city and parts of the state. This occurs when there is a lull in monsoon rainfall along the west coast, weakening the westerly winds and promoting convective activity. Strong westerlies, on the other hand, suppress the upward movement of air necessary for convection. Historically, the occurrence of evening thunderstorms tends to increase in the latter half of July, climatologically speaking.