Chennai Rain Brings Relief from Heat; RMC Forecasts Thunderstorms on Friday

A spell of rain lashed several parts of Chennai on Thursday evening, providing much-needed relief from the scorching heat that had gripped the city over the past few days.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in Chennai on Friday.

The city experienced hot and humid conditions throughout the day before sudden evening showers brought down temperatures in several localities.

According to V.R. Durai, Head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, the rainfall was caused by intense surface heating over north Tamil Nadu during the past week, combined with wind convergence over the state`s northern and southern coastal districts.

The RMC has also predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in the Nilgiris district and the ghat areas of Coimbatore district on Friday. These regions are also likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph.

Other districts along the Western Ghats are expected to receive moderate rainfall at isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

The weather department said that maximum temperatures are likely to remain 2–3°C above normal at isolated places across Tamil Nadu on Friday. However, temperatures are expected to return to near-normal levels across most parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal in the following days.

For Chennai, the RMC has forecast a maximum temperature of around 39°C and a minimum temperature of about 29°C on Friday, with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms expected in parts of the city.