Monday reminded many residents of the scorching days of late May. After a week of pleasant weather, Chennai had experienced warm weather for the past two days with the temperature steadily on the rise. On Monday, the maximum temperature soared to 39.2 degree Celsius, the highest so far this month, in both Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam weather stations.
Residents said the hot winds persisted until late evening. “We usually experience this kind of weather in April and May. Travelling, even after 3 p.m., was tiring,” S. Saraswathi, a resident of Kodungaiyur, said.
Officials of the Meteorological department said that the onset of southwest monsoon had brought rain to several parts of the State. This had helped bring down the day temperature in Chennai. “The temperature soared at close to 40 degree Celsius on Monday as sea breeze set in only in the evening. Westerly winds that bring in hot air were strong and this had delayed the onset of the sea breeze in Chennai,” said an official.
S.R. Ramanan, director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, said that the impact of the sea breeze is felt up to a radius of 40 km. The clear sky for the past two days also contributed to the temperature.
June and July are no exceptions when it comes to hot weather.
The maximum temperature has crossed 40 degree Celsius on several occasions during these months in the past many years. Last year, the temperature had peaked at 42.4 degree Celsius on June 3, he said. The mercury level soared to an all time high of 43.3 degree Celsius on June 3, 1948.
However, rains may still hit the city on Tuesday and the surface wind is likely to be strong and gusty.
