CHENNAI: If the cloudy weather early on Saturday morning over parts of the city and the drop in day temperatures were anything to go by, weathermen said the season of thunderstorms may be here.
The light spell over some suburban areas on early Saturday was due to convergence closer to coastal areas. But a change in the wind speed and direction next week may bring thunderstorms to the city and a respite from the summer heat.
On Saturday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 34.5C and 35.8C, which were 2.4C and 1.6C below normal. High clouds covered the skies over some parts of the city earlier in the day after midnight spells which left 1.7mm and 0.9mm at the two city stations. By 5.30pm, Taramani registered 0.5mm and West Tambaram 8mm. Meteorologists said it was due to the south-westerly winds moving towards the city in the nights, causing convergence closer to the coast. It is also bringing clouds over higher altitude which leads to a drop in temperatures, but may not bring rain.
For the next 48 hours, IMD has forecast thunderstorms with light to moderate rain over some areas of the city and the suburbs, while skies may be generally cloudy. Maximum and minimum temperatures may drop as low as 33C and 26C. IMD officials said, "This is due to an influence of an upper air circulation over TN region."
Weather watchers said while this may continue for the next two days, by Tuesday there may be a change. Blogger Pradeep John said weather models show winds changing to westerlies by Tuesday and their speeds may also pick up. "If these steering winds increase, it will push thunderstorms forming over the interior areas of the state towards the city. This may be the beginning of our thunderstorm season," he said.
