Cool or hot, state braces for dog days

While Chennaiites expected sweltering temperature levels in the peak summer days, May surprisingly started off on a cooler note. 

Forecasts by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, for the next 48 hours, indicate partly cloudy conditions, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 37 and 29 degrees Celsius respectively. 

Dr S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said, “There is no such period as ‘Kathiri’ or ‘Agni Nakshatram’ in meteorological terms, globally. The temperatures will depend on the movement of the sun, cloud conditions, wind (in case of coastal areas) and several other factors. Chennai and the coastal regions of the state will see normal temperatures over the next two-three days while interior Tamil Nadu will see the mercury level increasing by 2 or 3 degrees Celsius. Overall, there will be normal temperature for the next three days.”

For interior Tamil Nadu, the official forecasts predict rain or thundershowers at isolated places. K Srikanth, a weather blogger at Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam (COMK), said that the temperatures will not be too high until May 10. 

“The easterly winds are strong and due to wind instability, there is a line of wind discontinuity, which may bring cloudy skies or rains to interior areas. On May 2, the temperatures were normal or less than normal across the state except for a few places. The temperature will continue to be bearable for a week, after which there may be an increase. However, I personally believe that ‘Kathiri’ season this year won’t be as bad as expected, at least until the winds change to the west,” he concluded. 

Last year, during Kathiri, Nungambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 40.8 degree Celsius and a minimum temperature of 27.8. Meenambakkam witnessed 40.8 and 26.4 respectively. Chennai city recorded 15 cm rainfall during dog days.