Tamil Nadu braces for scattered rain after a month of dry weather

Scattered rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu from February 26, bringing relief from dry weather and lower temperatures.

After nearly a month of prolonged dry weather, the State will experience a hiatus as scattered rainfall is set to arrive from February 26. The Regional Meteorological Centre(RMC) forecast indicate prospects of heavy rainfall over south coastal Tamil Nadu and delta districts on February 28 and March 1.

The return of rainfall would also translate to lower temperatures, particularly in south TN and February is likely to end on a wet note.

The RMC has predicted that the wet spell would last till March 2. The numerical weather models have forecast that rains would return over coastal Tamil Nadu on Wednesday and pick up pace from Thursday and spread to southern parts by February 28.

Officials of the RMC noted that this might be a good start to the pre-monsoon showers. A cyclonic circulation moving over the equatorial region and its interaction with an easterly trough would trigger wet spell over the State, Puducherry and Karaikal.

While districts in north Tamil Nadu may receive scattered rainfall on February 28 and March 1, interior parts have chances only for rainfall in isolated pockets.

P.Senthamarai Kannan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC, said rainfall is expected to be more pronounced in south TN than in other parts of the State this week. On Friday, delta districts and south coastal areas, including Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli may receive heavy rainfall.

While many places in south TN may get rainfall on March 1, heavy rainfall may be limited to five districts, including Tenkasi and Thoothukudi. “North TN and interior parts may witness a rise in maximum temperature as rainfall would be more concentrated in south TN,” he said.