Sunday hottest day of the year so far

Chennai: As maximum temperature stood at 37.8 degrees Celsius in Meenambakkam, Sunday was recorded as the hottest day of the year so far. However, the temperature has not drifted above normal in the Nungambakkam station, which recorded 35.3 degrees.

The high temperature is a drift of 2.9 degrees above the April average for Meenambakkam, say weather experts. According to Met statistics, the normal average temperature of April is at around 35 C at both Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam.

Attributing the abnormal temperature phenomenon to the abrupt change in wind patterns, Kea weather blogger, S Chandramouli told Deccan Chronicle, “Though the sea breeze set in as early as 11.30 am, the change in wind pattern escalated the humidity levels in the city. South Westerly winds from the land have peaked up the temperature.”

Would we cross 40 degrees soon in April itself? When previous Met data is assessed, the highest temperature in April 2016 was 40.8 degrees in Chennai.

The record was the second highest for the month, as the all-time record was 42.8 degrees on April 27, 1908.

Land winds play humidity game, while southeasterly winds could cool the land, winds from the southwest, which are from the land, cause extreme sultry conditions.

Weather experts hint that the weather would be sultry for the next one week, but are unsure if it would cross the 40-degree mark anytime soon.  

“The interior districts are recording two to three districts above normal temperature, as the land gets heated up fast. Southwesterlies, responsible for the humidity, move towards the interiors from the sea causing rise in temperature,” Chandramouli added.

The coastal cities including Puducherry and Nagapattinam are thus witnessing comparatively better temperatures than the interiors where the temperatures crossed 40 degrees (in Salem and Karur).