Heat wave to continue for two more days: Met dept

According to weathermen, moderate temperature prevailed during the last month and even the city had intermittently been receiving light and heavy rains. However, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 38.5 degrees celsius on July 21 and 38 degrees celsius on July 22 respectively. On Sunday, it went up to 38.6 degrees celsius, inconveniencing the Chennaities. 

Speaking to DTNext, Dr S Balachandran, director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC, said, “It is a fact that cloud conditions are low for the past few days, while there are light monsoon showers in southern areas. In such a condition, it is natural that temperature will be high.” The weather expert also added that the same condition would prevail for the next two to three days. 

Meanwhile, weather bloggers too predicted the same. “Since South-West monsoon is weak in Kerala, the moisture level has drastically come down leading to increasing temperature in the state. The searing hot conditions that have been prevailing in Tamil Nadu for the past couple of days persisted on Sunday too,” said K Srikanth, a noted weather blogger in the city. 

A combination of clear skies due to lesser overall moisture and strong westerlies until well into the evening that prevented sea breeze penetration are the reasons for an increase in temperature, he added. Cuddalore on Saturday broke a record that stood for more than 120 years for the hottest temperature recorded during July – 40.7 degrees celsius.