Chennai recorded below average temperature, Egmore received sudden rain on Friday. | Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B
Light showers continued in several parts of Chennai on Friday. Agni Natchathiram or the peak summer season is set to take a backseat till May 14 as heavy rainfall is likely to persist in the south and interior.
Twenty-two southern and interior districts, including Tenkasi, Thanjavur, Madurai and Nilgiris, are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall with gusty winds till Sunday.
The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) has predicted that the maximum temperatures will gradually drop by two to three degrees Celsius and remain below normal in Tamil Nadu till the 12th.
Easterly winds will keep temperatures in coastal areas under control for a week.
On Friday, Salem recorded 36.6 degrees Celsius, the highest maximum temperature in the state. Chennai recorded a below average temperature of 33 degrees Celsius. The wet weather over Tamil Nadu was influenced by a cyclonic upper air circulation lying over the Comorin region and another trough leading from the Comorin region to southwest Madhya Pradesh.
According to RMC, many places over south TN and few places over northern districts are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall over the weekend. Prevailing weather systems would also bring light to moderate rainfall in some areas of Chennai on Saturday and bring down the day temperature.
Meteorologists noted that Chennai is yet to enter its peak summer phase as strong wests have not set this month. Usually, the second half of May is considered warmer, when the average temperature rises to 37-38 degrees Celsius.
On Friday, Chennai recorded 31 degrees Celsius at 4:30 pm and humidity at 75% due to easterly winds.
Moisture compensated
YEA Raj, former Deputy Director General of Meteorology, RMC, said cold easterlies play a crucial role in bringing pleasant weather to coastal places like Chennai and would offset the increase in humidity by reducing temperature levels.
Citing his research paper on changes in temperature and humidity in Chennai due to sea breeze, he said the maximum temperature will drop by 2.4 degrees Celsius in May within an hour of the onset of the sea breeze.
He said that at the same temperature – say 36 degrees Celsius, a place like Coimbatore with a lower humidity of 30% would feel less uncomfortable than a place with a humidity level of 70% because the drier air allows sweat to evaporate effectively and cool the body.
At coastal stations, including Chennai, the decrease in temperature would offset the increase in humidity due to the sea breeze, resulting in a cooling effect.
Published – May 9, 2026 0:57 AM IST
