Chennai is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall on January 12, Monday after witnessing overcast skies and a chilly breeze on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of light to moderate rainfall at isolated places over Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattibame districts of Tamil Nadu. Light rain is also expected in Puducherry and Karaikal areas, the weather department said in the latest update. Chennai has been witnessing an unexpected dip in temperatures, prompting the residents to search for chai, sweaters and earmuffs.
"Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at a few places over Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal area. Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai and Karaikal area," the weather agency said.
ALSO READ: Chennai weather: IMD sounds yellow alert for Chennai and Tamil Nadu and warns of heavy rainfall. Are schools closed in the city tomorrow?
As of Monday, residents of Chennai can expect generally cloudy skies with intermittent rains. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 25-26 degrees Celsius and 22-23 degrees Celsius, respectively. Some areas in Chennai are likely to see continuation of light to moderate rain. Since Jan 1, Chennai recorded 21.9mm of rainfall—about 130% above normal—while Tamil Nadu logged 8.1mm, around 26% above normal.
Meteorologists said the city missed the expected heavy spells on Sunday because the weather system weakened and remained far from the coast. Strong wind shear disrupted the system and pushed the convection away, altering the rainfall pattern.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru weather today: Bangalore wakes up to chilly morning as light drizzle sweeps city. Check full seven-day IMD forecast
"The trend is expected to continue till Monday. The rain will move into interior parts of TN and Kongu belt will get rains Monday onwards. There will be a complete break from rain from Wednesday," weather blogger Pradeep John said. Other experts said the actual winter will start later. "Night time and early morning temperatures will dip from Pongal onwards for the next couple of weeks. Afternoons may get back to being warm," said a post on Chennai Rains on X.
"Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at a few places over Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal area. Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai and Karaikal area," the weather agency said.
Light rain likely in Chennai
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal areas have been witnessing rainfall due to the northeast monsoon. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, light to moderate rainfall is expected over the next 7 days, with heavy rain alerts for specific districts. Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai districts, and the Karaikal are likely to receive heavy rains on January 12. By January 13, rainfall is likely in isolated areas and primarily over South Tamil Nadu. Following this, light to moderate rain is expected at isolated locations on January 14. Dry weather is forecast to prevail across the entire region from January 15 to January 17.ALSO READ: Chennai weather: IMD sounds yellow alert for Chennai and Tamil Nadu and warns of heavy rainfall. Are schools closed in the city tomorrow?
As of Monday, residents of Chennai can expect generally cloudy skies with intermittent rains. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 25-26 degrees Celsius and 22-23 degrees Celsius, respectively. Some areas in Chennai are likely to see continuation of light to moderate rain. Since Jan 1, Chennai recorded 21.9mm of rainfall—about 130% above normal—while Tamil Nadu logged 8.1mm, around 26% above normal.
Meteorologists said the city missed the expected heavy spells on Sunday because the weather system weakened and remained far from the coast. Strong wind shear disrupted the system and pushed the convection away, altering the rainfall pattern.
Chennai shivers on chilly Sunday
On Sunday, an unusually breezy, cold weather prevailed in the city. Social media was abuzz with posts comparing the city to Bengaluru and hill stations such as Ooty. Weather observers attributed the chill to the deep depression which weakened into a low pressure area near Gulf of Mannar.ALSO READ: Bengaluru weather today: Bangalore wakes up to chilly morning as light drizzle sweeps city. Check full seven-day IMD forecast
"The trend is expected to continue till Monday. The rain will move into interior parts of TN and Kongu belt will get rains Monday onwards. There will be a complete break from rain from Wednesday," weather blogger Pradeep John said. Other experts said the actual winter will start later. "Night time and early morning temperatures will dip from Pongal onwards for the next couple of weeks. Afternoons may get back to being warm," said a post on Chennai Rains on X.