Chennaiites may have to endure warm weather for the next couple of days as there may not be much rainfall till Deepavali.
After Cyclone Nilam hit the Tamil Nadu coast close to Mamallapuram on October 31, Chennai has largely experienced a dry spell except for a day or two. The light showers last week were caused only by convective activity.
The meteorological department predicts that dry weather may prevail on Deepavali, too. The next spell of rains over the State may begin after November 15. On Friday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam experienced day temperature of 31 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, one to two degrees above average temperature.
This trend may continue in the city and its fringes for the next few days. During the previous years, Chennai has had light rains on Deepavali morning.
Officials of the Meteorological department said the northeast monsoon has been active over some parts of south Tamil Nadu. Subdued weather may continue for one or two days in southern parts of the State.
The weather models indicate there could be a development of a new system over the Bay of Bengal over Tamil Nadu only after Deepavali. The monsoon has been favourable, so far, for the State that has recorded rainfall of 31 cm, which is 26 per cent more than the average so far this season.
Chennai district has registered 43 cm, which is 11 per cent more than the normal rainfall for the period.
The department forecast that day temperature would be 31 degrees Celsius in the city over the next two days.
