State experienced normal summer, says official

Peak summer period has drawn to a close. But many parts of the State continue to reel under the grip of searing heat. Though evening thunderstorms may bring some relief, hot weather may prevail for a few days in June as well.

S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, noted that the State had experienced a normal summer (March-May) with temperature level staying close to average temperature. In May, nearly 60% of the weather stations in the State had registered normal to slightly above average temperature between 1 degree and 2.5 degrees Celsius.

In many districts, the average monthly temperature stayed between 33-38 degrees Celsius.

May’s average temperature peaked to a maximum of 38.3 degrees Celsius in Vellore district. Heatwave like conditions had swept over the district as mercury level climbed above 40-degree mark on 11 days.

Meenambakkam was the second hottest place with eight hot days in May when temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius. A trough running to south Tamil Nadu may bring light rain. It may not guarantee a drastic shift in temperature levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted isolated heavy rain in six districts, including Tirupattur, Erode and Salem on Thursday.

“Thunderstorms would occur in some parts of the State, including Chennai, this week owing to moisture ahead of onset of Southwest monsoon. A weather system over Arabian sea would also influence wet weather in some districts,” said Mr. Balachandran.