‘Sweltering city may get rain in the next 48 hrs’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.04.2020

The high levels of humidity are making morning visits to the grocer shop, walks for some fresh air or even simply staying indoors difficult in the city. Though the present weather is normal for April, weathermen said there is some relief in sight as it is likely to rain in the next two days.

Experts said the days have become hotter in the past one week due to the incoming moisture-laden southeasterly winds from the sea. On Wednesday, at 11am, the minimum humidity recorded was around 74%.

“We recorded maximum humidity of 96% during the day. It is because the winds from the sea travel for about 20 to 30km into the land bringing moisture. So, you feel hotter even though the temperature has remained the same for the last few weeks,” said N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, Chennai.

The city recorded 34°C in Nungambakkam and 35.6°C in Meenambakkam, around -0.1°C and 0.4°C below and above normal, with skies mostly cloudy, which also meant above normal night time temperatures. The minimum temperature which was at around 25°C a few days ago has gone nearly three degrees up. On early Wednesday morning before sunrise, Nungambakkam recorded 28.7°C, around 2.6°C above normal and Meenambakkam registered 27.5°C, which was 1.8°C above normal.

IMD has forecast that the sky condition is likely to be generally cloudy. “Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 35°C and 28°C in the city for the next 48 hours,”

However, the present condition may not last longer as experts have forecast light rain in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu including Chennai for the next two days. IMD has forecast thunderstorms for the next two days in the interior regions of Tamil Nadu.

“It will be a hit or miss for coastal areas including Chennai. Winds are converging in the interior region of Tamil Nadu and that may bring rainfall in those areas. But that is all going to change after April 11 when the temperatures are likely to drop,” said weather blogger Pradeep John.