Winter days in Chennai are getting warmer over the past three decades. The characteristic chill weather experienced during daytime in January and February is slowly fading, observe meteorologists and weather bloggers.
According to a study by Chennai Rains, a weather blogging site, the daytime temperature during January and February has remained above normal since 1980. The monthly mean temperature has been steadily hovering above average temperature by 0.2° Celsius to 0.5° Celsius in January indicating warmer days.
K.Srikanth, who blogs at Chennai Rains, said there has been a steady rise in daytime temperature in January and February, particularly after 1999. “While the average monthly mean temperature hovering above 0.5° Celsius may look normal, it means the city is experiencing a warmer weather on many days. The monthly mean temperature has reached 31° Celsius during some years,” he said.
Generally, Meenambakkam records a cooler temperature as it is away from the coast. However, the monthly mean temperature has not dipped below 28° Celsius during the winter months since 1980.
Over the past three decades, 2016 witnessed the warmest January with the monthly mean temperature touching 31.2° Celsius. While the days are getting warmer, nights are becoming mildly cooler and minimum temperature has stayed close to 20° Celsius. Drier weather during January and February is cited to be one of the reasons for such variations in temperature.
Chennai has experienced warmer winters after the years that experienced a strong El Nino; 2016 was a classic example of fading El Nino when it experienced a relatively warm winter. Meteorologists note that besides the influence of global weather factors, the urban heat island effect was also one of the reasons for the spike in temperature. Rapid urbanisation and increase in traffic even in suburban areas could have led to warmer days, they say.
Cool nights ahead
Meanwhile, many interior parts of the State may experience a dip in night temperature. Tiruttani recorded one of the lowest minimum temperature at 15° Celsius on Sunday. The same trend may continue particularly in northern parts of the State for two more days due to dry weather and clear sky.
Officials of the Meteorological Department said that ground frost is likely to occur at a few places in The Nilgiris till Wednesday. Chennai may experience a minimum temperature of 22° Celsius and Meenambakkam, which is away from the coast, may have a dip in night temperature.
