Hotter days ahead for Chennai next week

CHENNAI: After a few days of below normal day temperatures, the entry of strong westerlies or land breeze over coastal areas of Tamil Nadu including Chennai could lead to a rise in mercury levels, making days dry and hot starting around June 14. The IMD forecast a maximum temperature of 37°C, which is normal for the month of June, on Monday. Bloggers said temperatures may rise on Tuesday and there are also chances of clouds hanging in higher altitudes leaving overcast but hot days.TheIMDhas forecast “a maximum and minimum temperature of around 36°C and 28°C with partly cloudy skies in the city and the suburbs for the next 24 hours. The maximum could be around 37°C with generally cloudy skies for the subsequent 24 hours.”
Officials said the temperature rise is due to the dry westerly winds over the city and neighbouring districts driven by the low pressure over northwest Bay of Bengal. On Saturday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam stations recorded 37.9°C and 37.4°C, which 1.2°C and 0.1°C above normal, though the day was mostly overcast.
Later in the evening some parts of the city like Choolaimedu, Aminjikarai and surrounding areas saw light showers from fast moving rain clouds after the entry of sea breeze in the evening, which led to wind convergence and convective activity.