Chennai: It looks like we are in for a blistering summer, with parts of the state likely to face heatwave days between April and June. India Meteorological Department, in its seasonal outlook, said day temperatures may be normal to above normal, and night temperatures above normal in the three-month period.
Many coastal districts, including Chennai, may experience one to five heatwave days. In April, northern-most coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, is likely to record at least one heatwave day. A heatwave day, according to IMD, is when the maximum temperature of a station reaches 40C or more (4.5C to 6.4C above normal) in the plains and at least 30C or more in hilly regions.
“For the April-June season, both maximum and minimum temperatures are indicating that temperatures will be above normal in many parts of the country,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD director general.
But, before the heat sets in, a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal may get light to moderate intensity rainfall from April 2 to 6, with below normal temperatures in a few pockets.
Bloggers said city and the suburbs may receive rainfall in the second week of April. “Interior parts of Tamil Nadu may receive rainfall in the first week of April due to a trough. Chennai is likely to receive rainfall around April 8-9 due to an upper air circulation moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast,” said blogger Pradeep John.