The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Showers bring respite from sweltering heat

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Friday, Jun 05, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Showers bring respite from sweltering heat

Staff Reporter

Low pressure area is likely to be formed over the Bay of Bengal, says meteorology official

“Only strong monsoon would increase the moisture content in the atmosphere and have an impact on day temperature”

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

COOL FACE OF CITY: The shower on Thursday was limited to parts of Chennai. Residents of other areas had to remain content with dark clouds. A scene on Anna Salai.

CHENNAI: The city, which has been experiencing high day temperatures over the past few days, got some respite from the sweltering heat due to sudden showers on Thursday evening.

Several areas in the city, including Chindadripet, Anna Nagar, Egmore, Koyambedu, Ashok Nagar and Perambur, experienced light showers for a few minutes at nightfall. This was enough to cheer up the residents, as the maximum temperature on Thursday was 40.8 degrees in Nungambakkam and 40.5 in Meenambakkam as against the average temperature of 37 degrees.

Although the peak summer days are over, the city continued to experience hot days with day temperatures hovering around 40 degrees.

The day temperature is usually the highest during May.

But, there have also been instances in the past few years of day temperatures in June exceeding the 40-degree mark. Last year, the mercury level rose to 40.9 degrees on June 6.

The highest temperature recorded in June was in 1948 — 43.3 degrees.

Though the southwest monsoon set in early in the neighbouring States this year, it has not helped in bringing down the day temperature in Chennai as the monsoon activity is weak. The strong surface winds have also contributed to an increase in the temperature in the city.

Only a strong monsoon would increase the moisture content in the atmosphere and have an impact on day temperatures here, officials said.

Rains likely

An official of the Meteorological Department said a low pressure area is likely to be formed over the Bay of Bengal.

The department forecasts a partly cloudy sky and there is a possibility of a shower or thundershower in some areas during evening or night on Friday.

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