Tamil Nadu Heat Intensifies: Vellore Sizzles At 40°C, 9 Dists Cross 37°C

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a steady rise in daytime temperatures, with several districts recording intense heat on Friday. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, nine districts across the State recorded maximum temperatures above 37°C, signalling the gradual intensification of summer conditions.

Vellore emerged as the hottest place in the State, recording a maximum temperature of 40.0°C. The soaring heat in the northern interior districts indicates the early arrival of peak summer-like conditions. Other districts that recorded high temperatures include Erode and Karur-Paramathi at 38.0°C each.

Madurai Airport and Tiruchirappalli Airport followed with maximum temperatures of 37.6°C, while Salem recorded 37.2°C. Thirupattur registered 37.1°C and both Chennai Airport and Dharmapuri recorded 37.0°C. Tiruthani also experienced high heat with 36.8°C.

In the southern and western districts, temperatures remained slightly lower but still above seasonal averages in many places. Madurai city recorded 36.6°C while Coimbatore Airport registered 36.2°C. Thanjavur recorded 36.0°C and Chennai city registered 35.1°C.

Along the coastal belt, temperatures were relatively moderate due to sea breeze influence. Palayamkottai recorded 35.0°C, Tondi 34.6°C and Kanyakumari 34.3°C. Puducherry registered 34.0°C while Cuddalore recorded 33.9°C.

Further along the coast, Pamban recorded 33.2°C, Nagapattinam 32.9°C and Parangipettai 32.6°C. Karaikal and Thoothukudi both recorded 32.5°C while Adiramapattinam registered 31.7°C.

Hill stations continued to remain significantly cooler compared to the plains. Valparai recorded 28.5°C, while Udagamandalam (Ooty) registered 27.6°C. Coonoor recorded 24.6°C and Kodaikanal remained the coolest with a maximum temperature of 21.6°C.

The Meteorological Department stated that maximum temperatures over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal have shown a slight increasing tendency over the past 24 hours. In several places across the State, temperatures were reported to be above normal, with a few locations recording appreciably above normal values.

Minimum temperatures across Tamil Nadu have also shown a gradual increasing trend. Night temperatures were about 2°C above normal in isolated places across the State, while Puducherry and Karaikal recorded near-normal minimum temperatures.

Among the plains, Tiruthani recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 19.5°C. In the hill regions, Udagamandalam recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 8.0°C, reflecting the cooler climatic conditions prevailing in the higher elevations.

Meteorologists have also noted some atmospheric systems influencing regional weather patterns. An upper air cyclonic circulation persists over Odisha and its neighbouring areas, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. In addition, a trough from this system extends towards coastal Karnataka across Telangana and interior parts of Karnataka at around 0.9 km above mean sea level.

Meanwhile, the upper air cyclonic circulation that existed earlier over the Gulf of Mannar and nearby regions has weakened and become less marked.

For Chennai city and its surrounding areas, the forecast indicates stable weather conditions over the next two days. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 36°C and 37°C, while the minimum temperature is likely to be around 24°C to 25°C.

The sky is expected to remain partly cloudy and dry weather is likely to prevail. The weather department has also stated that no rainfall has been recorded in the city during the past 24 hours, and similar dry conditions are expected to continue in the immediate future.