It’s May. But easterly winds continue to help maintain the day temperature close to normal, say meteorologists.
On Friday, the weather observatories at Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam registered a maximum temperature of 35.6 degree Celsius and 37 degree Celsius respectively. It is time for winds to change to hot westerlies. The weak low pressure area extending up to Comorin area, which is bringing rains to interior parts of the State, is also influencing Chennai’s weather, said officials of the Meteorological department.
However, residents may have to prepare for hotter days as the temperature is set to peak by next week. Many residents particularly those outdoors say they are already feeling the searing heat. Though the temperature recorded is around 35 or 36 degree Celsius, meteorologists say people may feel the temperature as much as 40-42 degree Celsius.
Several people are already not stepping out in the afternoon hours. Many institutes that hold summer camps have changed timings. N. Senthil, a cricket coach in Anna Nagar, said earlier, he used to coach students both in the morning and evening hours. Now, they are hardly any takers for coaching between 6.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. “I’ve rescheduled coaching hours to evening as 90 per cent of the students prefer it,” he said.
Officials of the meteorological department said high humidity levels however make the days sultry. Last year, the mercury level soared to 42.7 degree Celsius on May 27. Chennai will experience dry weather and day temperature of around 36 degree Celsius this weekend.
