Tamil Nadu Weather: Karur Hits 41°C, Erode Touches 40°C As Mercury Soars Across State

A sharp rise in temperatures swept across Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, with the interior districts bearing the brunt of an intensifying summer. Karur emerged as the hottest location in the state, recording a blistering 41.0°C, underscoring the growing heat stress across the plains. Close behind, Erode touched 40.0°C, while Vellore registered a high of 39.3°C, signalling a widespread surge in mercury levels.

The heat was not confined to a few pockets. Several districts reported maximum temperatures hovering well above the seasonal average. Namakkal recorded 38.9°C, Thirupattur 38.8°C, and Palayamkottai 38.6°C, the data released by the Regional Meteorological Centre on Thursday shows.

Even major urban and semi-urban centres experienced elevated temperatures, with Madurai Airport logging 38.4°C and Tiruchirappalli Airport 37.9°C. Chennai, though relatively moderated by coastal influences, still saw temperatures climb to 34.4°C, with its airport station touching a higher 37.5°C.

Weather agency noted that maximum temperatures were above normal by 2-3°C at several places across Tamil Nadu, indicating a sustained warming trend. However, the situation was not uniform across the state. Hill stations provided a stark contrast, offering much cooler conditions. Kodaikanal recorded a pleasant maximum temperature of 20.9°C, while Udagamandalam and Coonoor reported 24.8°C and 26.7°C respectively. These regions continued to remain significantly cooler than the plains, drawing attention to the varied climatic conditions within the state.

Coastal areas experienced moderate heat, with locations such as Nagapattinam (34.8°C), Cuddalore (34.6°C), and Karaikal (33.6°C) maintaining relatively stable temperatures. Sea breezes likely played a role in keeping the mercury from rising further in these belts.

Despite the prevailing heat, there were signs of limited weather activity. Rainfall occurred at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, bringing brief respite in select regions. Periyakulam in Theni district recorded the highest rainfall at 38 mm, marking the most significant precipitation event in the state during the period. However, dry weather continued to dominate over Puducherry and Karaikal, where no significant rainfall was observed.

Meteorological observations indicated that there had been no large-scale change in temperature patterns over the past 24 hours, although a slight drop of 2-3°C was noted at isolated places. The persistence of a north-south trough, extending from a cyclonic circulation over Odisha down to the Gulf of Mannar and passing through Telangana, Rayalaseema, and interior Tamil Nadu at about 0.9 km above mean sea level, is influencing current weather conditions. This atmospheric feature is expected to continue shaping local weather patterns in the coming days.

Meanwhile, nights in some parts of the state offered marginal relief. Coimbatore Airport recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the plains at 23.4°C, while Kodaikanal saw the mercury dip to a cool 11.7°C, highlighting the sharp contrast between day and night temperatures, especially in elevated regions.

As summer tightens its grip, the rising temperatures across Tamil Nadu serve as a reminder of the season's intensity, with interior districts facing particularly harsh conditions while coastal and hill regions offer relative comfort.