Heat and humidity return to city

Chennai: After several days of pleasant weather, heat and humidity returned on Monday. Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 38C and 38.1°C, with humidity levels around 50%, pushing the ‘feels-like' temperature past 42°C.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), day temperatures may hover around 38°C on Tuesday, with a chance of light rainfall over some areas. Across the state, temperatures are expected to remain elevated by 2–3°C in a few pockets until June 4. "North-northwesterly winds are causing the temperature to rise, and with humidity, it may feel even hotter," said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist at Skymet Weather. "The sea breeze is arriving only briefly in the evening, offering little relief. There may be isolated light rain over the next three or four days, but it won't be enough to significantly lower temperatures. Elevated temperatures are likely to continue for the next one week." On Sunday too, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 38.9°C and 38.6°C, respectively. The IMD has also warned of hot and discomforting weather over isolated pockets in the state due to a combination of humid air and high temperatures. While temperatures may remain above normal in a few areas, light to moderate rainfall may occur at isolated places across Tamil Nadu. Blogger Pradeep John noted in a recent post that the city and nearby districts, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengelpet (KTCC) may once again record excess rainfall in June, just as they have in the past three years. While the city's average June rainfall is 6 cm, the city's Nungambakkam observatory recorded 17cm in 2022, 21cm in 2023, and 23cm in 2024. Meenambakkam observatory logged 17cm, 23cm, and 27cm in those years, respectively. "There is going to be plenty of rain for KTCC (Chennai), while all other places will be silent. Rainfall will return in the coming days to keep temperatures in check," he said.