Heat to continue in most parts of Tamil Nadu, light to moderate rainfall likely in some districts

While sizzling weather is likely to continue over most parts of Tamil Nadu till mid-September, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted light to moderate rain in some parts of north coastal and interior districts till September 8, 2026.

Chennai and its fringes, as well as the Nilgiris and Thoothukudi districts, received light rainfall on Thursday. However, in the absence of any significant weather system and due to a weak Southwest monsoon, most parts of the State are likely to experience high temperatures over the next few days, according to the RMC.

For the third consecutive day, Palayamkottai recorded a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, reaching 40.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Many other weather stations in the State too recorded above-normal temperatures. The RMC said maximum temperatures were likely to be two to four degrees Celsius above normal in a few areas of interior Tamil Nadu.

Temperatures may stay close to normal over the coastal region, and Puducherry and Karaikal areas till September 8. Officials of the RMC said a feeble trough that persists along the Tamil Nadu coast will bring light to moderate rainfall over its coastal districts.

Interior areas such as Tiruchi and Madurai, which have been experiencing sweltering weather, may also receive convective rainfall on Friday. V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said the southern peninsular region had not experienced any significant weather system, with monsoon activity largely concentrated around the West Bengal and Odisha regions.

This meant almost no cloud cover to influence widespread rainfall and rising temperature levels. In the absence of organised cloud formation, some areas, including Chennai, are receiving convective rainfall, and the same trend would continue on Friday.

The State has experienced many hot days, with temperatures peaking above 40 degrees Celsius since the start of the monsoon. In June, the mercury level crossed 40 degrees Celsius on 15 days, while July was marked by abnormally high temperatures.

In July, Tamil Nadu observed 20 hot days — the highest in recent years, including 2019, which saw 10 hot days — when at least one weather station recorded a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius. The RMC expects rainfall to increase marginally on September 8, particularly over the Western Ghats and north coastal districts.