Chennai and neighboring areas will receive light to moderate rains during the weekend

Image used to represent | Photo credit: B. Velankanni Raj

After a hot Friday (May 22, 2026) in Chennai, with Meenambakkam touching 40.8 degrees Celsius and Nungambakkam recording 39.8 degrees Celsius, the city woke up to a chilly morning on Saturday (May 23), thanks to the early onset of Easter humidity dreams.

According to VR Durai, director of the regional weather forecasting centre, though places like Tiruttani, Ranipet and Arani in Tiruvannamalai received rain on Friday, there was no rain in Chennai due to light easterly winds. North-westerly winds from Rayalaseema, which brought heat, were stronger and blocked the Eastlands. “Because of that, the heat will drop over the weekend,” he said.

The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) has also issued a Nowcast bulletin valid till 1 pm for light to moderate rain at several places in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu as well as Puducherry.

It also predicted probability of heavy rain at isolated places – accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) at one or two places – in Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai during the next 24 hours and Kallaku over Nakallai, Namalai and Kallaku districts for 8 hours on Sunday (May 24).

During the same period, light to moderate rain is likely at a few places in North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal region – with thunder and lightning at one or two places. Light to moderate rain is also expected over isolated places in south Tamil Nadu.

On Sunday, heavy rain accompanied by thundershowers, lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) in one or two areas is likely over isolated places in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharpuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Pervanlampuri, Kalalurich, Kalalampurai, Kal. Tiruchi, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Theni and Madurai. districts.

Light to moderate rain at isolated places accompanied by thunder and lightning at one or two places likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal region on Sunday.

Published – 23 May 2026 12:01 IST