The maximum temperature on Tuesday soared to 39.8 degree Celsius, the highest in Nungambakkam this month.
Officials of Meteorological department said the observatory in Meenambakkam also registered the highest day temperature of the season, of 40.2 degree Celsius on Tuesday. The temperature has been on the rise for the past three days.
On Monday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 39.3 degree Celsius and 40 degree Celsius respectively.
The delay in onset of sea breeze, which has a cooling effect on weather, made it more uncomfortable for the residents. People felt the heat through the day as the sea breeze set in only around 3.45 p.m. at Nungambakkam and 4 p.m. at Meenambakkam.
Sea breeze sets in usually around 12.30 p.m. in Nungambakkam and 1.35 p.m. at Meenambakkam during May. This gets further delayed as the season progresses, an official said.
The cyclonic storm ‘Laila' provided some respite from the heat for a few days recently. Last year, the day temperature touched 41.1 degree Celsius on May 15.
The highest temperature recorded in the past decade was 45 degree Celsius on May 31, 2003.
The department forecasts that Wednesday would also be a hot day with the maximum temperature expected to touch 40 degree Celsius.