There was a slight dip in day temperature in the city on the first day of the peak summer season, known as Agni Natchathiram . However, several interior areas were in the grip of heat wave conditions and the maximum temperature crossed the 40-degree Celsius mark by Saturday afternoon.
Weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 38.8 degree Celsius and 39.6 degree Celsius respectively, nearly 3 degree Celsius above normal for the period. But the weather was slightly better in the city and the suburbs compared to Friday, when temperatures soared to 40 degree Celsius.
Normally, the period between May 4 and May 28 is considered to be peak summer season and is locally referred to as Agni Natchathiram or Kathri.
Peak summer
Officials of the Meteorological Department noted that in Tiruttani the maximum temperature touched 44 degree Celsius on Saturday, the State’s highest for the second consecutive day. Other places such as Vellore, Tiruchi, Madurai and Karur too were extremely hot.
N. Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai, said the heat wave condition would continue in interior areas till Sunday. Sea breeze may bring in respite from scorching weather for the coastal region.
Strong north and northwest winds prevailing over the city would prevent the sea breeze from setting in on time. This leads to a spike in temperature by noon.
On Saturday, the sea breeze set in around 1.30 p.m. “We can expect thunderstorms only when the speed of the northwest winds weakens and sea breeze grows stronger,” he said. The Meteorological Department has forecast that the maximum temperature in Chennai and its neighbourhood areas would be around 42 degree Celsius till Monday.
