Summer gets harsher in Chennai; Meenambakkam records its first hot day of the year

Chennai faces scorching heat as temperatures soar, with above normal day temperatures expected in May.

At the start of the peak summer month, Chennai Meenambakkam recorded its first hot day in the year as mercury level rose to 40.7 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

Blazing heat caught up with other parts of the city too as the day temperature in Nungambakkam rose to 39 degree Celsius.

K. Srikanth, weather blogger who runs Chennai Rains website, said that Chennai’s monthly temperature was also higher this April compared to April 2023. “The summer that follows a strong El Nino year is usually harsh. After 2016 summer, this year too is facing similar pattern of brutal heat as 2023 was a strong El Nino year,” he said.

Though easterlies saved Chennai from peaking temperature, the ‘real feel’ temperature was more due to presence of humidity along with spike in mercury level, he added.

April has ended on a dry note with weather stations in north interior of Tamil Nadu experiencing record breaking temperature. An analysis by Chennai Rains blogging site has revealed that intense heat has swept through many parts of the north interior of Tamil Nadu with monthly temperature remaining two degree Celsius above normal.

Places like Vellore and Tiruttani were among those weather stations that experienced blistering temperatures in April this year. With more number of hot days, both the places have registered an average monthly temperature that was two degree Celsius higher than last April. Vellore’s monthly average temperature was nearly 39.9 degree Celsius in April compared to 37.8 degree Celsius during April last year.

Tiruttani also sizzled during April with its monthly temperature pegged at 39.3 degree Celsius as against 37.1 degree Celsius registered last April.