Chennai: Cloud cover kept daytime temperatures in check on Friday, a day after intense evening thunderstorms brought relief from the summer heat. Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 34.2°C and 35.3°C, around 1.4°C and 0.5°C below normal. While IMD forecast light rain and a slight rise in daytime temperatures on Saturday, weather bloggers said more intense thunderstorms may return after mid-July.“On Saturday, the city and the suburbs may receive light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over some areas. A partly cloudy sky may keep maximum temperatures at 37-38°C and minimum temperatures at 27-28°C,” an IMD bulletin said.IMD said Thursday’s thunderstorms were triggered by wind convergence, after a temporary weakening of the southwest monsoon winds allowed the sea breeze to move farther inland and interact with opposing inland winds. Similar conditions prevailed on Friday, bringing light rain to a few localities, with YMCA Nandanam recording 1mm in the evening.Across the state, rainfall activity is likely to remain confined mainly to the Western Ghats, though isolated light showers may occur over coastal and south Tamil Nadu on Saturday. Maximum temperatures may also be 2-3°C above normal at isolated places on Sunday and Monday.“Weather models suggest only light spells this weekend. Thunderstorms similar to Thursday’s are likely to return after July 15,” said blogger Pradeep John.Since June 1, Chennai has received 69.9mm of rainfall, about 24% below normal. Chengelpet has recorded 27.5mm (65% below normal), Tiruvallur 94.6mm (5% below normal) and Kancheepuram 63.3mm (34% below normal).
