Rain, gusty winds forecast in TN; Northeast monsoon likely to begin around October 15
Chennai, Oct 12 (IANS) Moderate rain is likely in parts of Tamil Nadu on Monday, with the weather department forecasting thunderstorms and gusty winds across several districts, even as northern interior areas may experience temperatures above normal.
The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai and Salem are among the districts where moderate rainfall is expected during the day.
A weather department bulletin also indicated the possibility of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and strong winds at one or two places across a wider belt of the State.
The districts covered by this forecast are the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Madurai, Sivaganga, Salem and Tiruppur. Wind speeds in affected areas could reach 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, according to the bulletin.
Elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal, light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at some places.
The forecast points to varying rainfall conditions across the region, with moderate showers expected in selected districts and lighter rainfall in other areas.
Despite the prospect of showers, maximum temperatures at some locations in northern interior Tamil Nadu could remain two to three degrees Celsius above normal. Temperatures elsewhere in the state, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to stay close to their usual levels, the department said.
Chennai is likely to have partly cloudy skies. The city’s maximum temperature is expected to range between 35 and 36 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could settle between 26 and 27 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, weather observer Pradeep John, a member of the El Nino Impact Study Group, has indicated that the northeast monsoon could begin next Thursday. His prediction comes as attention turns to the development of atmospheric conditions that could support the seasonal rains over Tamil Nadu. In a post on X, John said an atmospheric circulation moving towards the region adjoining Tamil Nadu was likely to create favourable conditions for the monsoon’s onset.
His assessment concerns the possible arrival of the northeast monsoon, while the weather department’s bulletin outlines the immediate outlook for rainfall, winds and temperatures. The Thursday onset remains a prediction rather than an officially confirmed onset date.
For Monday, the main forecast is for scattered thunderstorms, gusty winds and differing rainfall intensity, alongside warmer conditions in parts of the northern interior.
–IANS
aal/dpb
