The hill station-like weather on Saturday made for a pleasant day after a sweltering and hot week. The northeast monsoon, which contributes a major share of city’s rainfall, is still two months away. But, thunderstorm in the early hours of Saturday was something similar to the weather pattern experienced between October-end and December. Meteorological department officials said rains might occur for two more days. Sunday too is likely to be a pleasant day with the maximum temperature expected to be 31 degree Celsius.
Many places in and around the city received good rains and this was reflected in Saturday’s weather. Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 30.3 degree Celsius and 31.5 degree Celsius, which is four degrees less than the average. However, there was no rainfall during the day.
“I slept without air-conditioner last night after many days as the heavy rains had cooled the weather immediately. If it rains the same way for one or two more days, it will help improve the quality of groundwater that is turning saline,” said R. Ambika, a resident of Ekkaduthangal.
Among the rain gauges and weather stations in and around the city, Madhavaram and Ponneri received a maximum of 7 cm during the past 24 hours till 8.30 a.m. on Saturday. Red Hills and Nungambakkam recorded 5 cm and Meenambakkam, 4 cm. Unlike the previous days in the season when only a few areas received good rainfall, Friday’s showers covered many localities.
According to the Meteorological department, an upper air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal off Andhra Pradesh coast had caused the rainfall. This system formed over 3.1 km above sea level and had led to cloud cover over Andhra Pradesh that extended over north Tamil Nadu.
Convective activity, which follows an intense period of heat, caused the rainfall. Chennai has recorded 10 cm of rainfall over the past eight days against its monthly normal of 28 cm. Meenambakkam has received 8 cm since September 1.
Officials of the Meteorological department said usually, Chennai registers good rainfall in September and it rains between 11.30 p.m. and 5 a.m. The rains this month have bridged the rainfall deficit in Meenambakkam as the weather observatory there has registered 40 cm, which is one cm more than the average for the season since June 1. However, Nungambakkam has to receive 5 cm more to reach its average for the season of 34 cm.
