Tamil Nadu Weather: 16 Dists To Get Heavy Rains; Chennai On Yellow Alert

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy rainfall across 16 districts of Tamil Nadu today, issuing an orange alert for parts of the state as a weather system in the Bay of Bengal continues to intensify.

According to the RMC's daily bulletin on Monday, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur districts and the Karaikal region have been placed under an orange alert, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rain.

Chennai Weather: Thunderstorms Likely

The state capital is expected to receive a few spells of moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Maximum temperature: ~27°C

Minimum temperature: 23-24°C

Yellow Alert for Southern & Coastal Districts

A yellow alert has been issued for the following districts today:
Villuppuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, and Puducherry.

For Tuesday (Nov 18), the RMC has extended the yellow alert to:
Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, and Theni districts.

Low Pressure in Bay of Bengal Strengthens

Explaining the synoptic situation, the RMC noted that the low-pressure area over the Southwest Bay of Bengal off the Sri Lanka coast persists, with an associated upper-air cyclonic circulation up to 7.6 km above mean sea level. The system is expected to move slowly west-northwestwards over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Arabian Sea off the South Kerala coast has weakened.

Another fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the Southeast Bay of Bengal around November 22, which may strengthen further over the following 48 hours as it tracks west-northwestwards.

Temperature Extremes Across Tamil Nadu

Highest maximum temperature: 33.0°C at Erode and Madurai Airport

Lowest minimum temperature (plains): 19.0°C at Karur Paramathi

Top Rainfall Records (in cm)

Kodiayakarai (Nagapattinam): 12

Sembanarkoil PWD (Mayiladuthurai): 9

Thangachimadam (Ramanathapuram): 8

Vedaranyam (Nagapattinam): 7

Thalaignayyar (Nagapattinam): 7

Kollidam (Mayiladuthurai): 7

Sirkazhi (Mayiladuthurai): 7