Residents may have to brace themselves for continued hot weather over the next few days.
October has been relatively hot so far, with the temperature level soaring at least two degrees above normal. On Thursday, weather observatories in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 34.4 degree Celsius and 35.8 degree Celsius, which is two degrees above the average for this month.
Residents said the heat during the day coupled with power cuts, have made it difficult to stay indoors. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature had shot up to 36 degree Celsius in Nungambakkam and 37 degrees in Meenambakkam.
However, Thursday’s temperature was relatively lower, thanks to a sea breeze that set in early.
S.R. Ramanan, director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, said the westerly winds prevailing over the city, and the clear skies had contributed to the relatively hot weather. The southwest monsoon is yet to withdraw from the region, and some southern districts in the State are receiving rainfall. The weather would become benign in mid-October when the easterlies set in, he said.
According to officials of the Meteorological department, temperatures sometimes soar during the period between the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon and the onset of the northeast monsoon, due to a lack of cloud cover.
Normally, the northeast monsoon sets in around October 20 every year and the temperature is likely to drop to normal after that, officials added. The department forecasts rain or thundershowers in some areas in the evening or night and the maximum temperature will be around 34 degree Celsius on Friday.
