Temperature continues to increase in city during winter

Though the southern metro remains warm throughout the year, the pleasant period between January and mid-February is regarded as winter in this part. Weather bloggers at Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam (COMK) have studied the data over the past three decades, since 1979, to arrive at the conclusion that winters are getting warmer. 

K Srikanth, a weather blogger, said that the mean temperature over Chennai is showing a rise. “Many old timers said that winter in Chennai is usually colder. Initially, I started looking at the data without a premise. The data for the last three decades showed how temperature over the city has changed during the month of January since 1979. On observation, the mean temperature (maximum + minimum temperature) over the period had slightly increased by 1 degree Celsius. So, the short winter period in Chennai is getting warmer,” he explained. 

Srikanth also pointed out the average minimum temperature for January too, followed a similar pattern. “Except for the early part of 1900’s, when it was low at around 18 degree Celsius, the average minimum temperature have been around 19-20 degree Celsius,” he said, adding that winters will only get warmer. “The data in May too showed a similar increase and the trend is likely to continue. The rise in temperature is most likely due to industrialisation and urban pollution,” added this expert. 

Dr SR Ramanan, Director, Regional Meteorological Department (RMD), Chennai, said, “It is not only during the winter, but also the rest of the year, where the temperature has increased over the years. I believe this is due to urbanisation.” 

Weather blogger Pradeep John, who blogs under Tamilnaduweatherman, pointed out that the rise in mercury was only marginal and can be due to several factors. “In the last 200 years, the mean temperature in January was 24.97, whereas in Jan 2015 it was 25.1. The extended monsoons and cloud cover also come into play. For instance, in December 2014, the last rain was received on December 29, but, in 2015 the last downpour was around mid-December, after which there was no showers,” he said.