More rain today; to keep temp under control

Chennai: The peak summer season has been relatively kind to the city so far, with rain keeping daytime temperatures under control. Meteorologists said the maximum temperature during the day may fluctuate as there are chances of on-and-off rainfall for at least the next week. On Friday, the day temperature may be 37C-38C.

Chennai's average maximum temperature in May is 37.7C. And both the core city and suburbs have experienced near-normal temperatures, with thunderstorms and rainfall in some areas during the evening hours. On Thursday, the observatories at Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam, which recorded around 1cm of rainfall each since May 1, registered 35.5C and 37C, around 1.1C and 0.6C below normal.

"There is a chance of rainfall in the city until Friday. During the weekend, isolated spells are possible, but the maximum temperature may rise by a degree or two. The next round of thunderstorms and lightning with rainfall is expected around May 12, when daytime temperatures may drop again," said N Senthamarai Kannan, director of regional weather forecasting centre, IMD.

Meteorologists said the rain activity is due to a north-south trough an elongated area of relatively low pressure extending from south Telangana to the Gulf of Mannar across Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu at about 0.9km above mean sea level.

The IMD official said the trough usually forms over the central part of peninsular India due to persistent summer heat and rarely extends further south. As the trough currently stretches to the Gulf of Mannar, it has created wind conditions favourable for rain activity.

On Friday, city and suburbs may experience thunderstorms and lightning with light to moderate rainfall in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 37C-38C and 28C, respectively, with partly cloudy skies. In the rest of the state, maximum temperatures may be 2C-3C above normal in isolated pockets on May 9, and in a few pockets on May 10 and 11.