Chennai: Relief from heat may be around the corner as weather models indicate a possibility of widespread rainfall on Friday. The models also suggest intermittent showers across parts of the city and suburbs from July 17. But until then, the IMD has forecast a slight increase in daytime temperatures to 39-40°C on Wednesday.“There is a chance of widespread rainfall on Friday evening or night. Thereafter, some parts of the city and the suburbs may receive spells every other day. Temperatures may dip after each spell before rising again, creating a cycle of hot days followed by thunderstorms,” said blogger Pradeep John.The model forecast coincides with the city’s climatological thunderstorm season. Historically, the second half of July marks the beginning of more frequent convective thunderstorms over the city. However, heat and humidity are likely to persist for the next few days.“On Wednesday, the city and the suburbs may experience hot and humid weather with maximum temperatures of 39-40°C and minimum temperatures of 28-29°C. The sky may remain partly cloudy,” an IMD bulletin said.High daytime temperatures, coupled with elevated humidity, are likely to cause discomfort over the next two days. On Tuesday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 39°C and 39.4°C, around 3.6°C and 3.8°C above normal. At 42.5°C, Madurai was likely the hottest place in the country on Tuesday.The absence of widespread thunderstorms over the past few weeks has widened the rainfall deficit in and around the city. Since June 1, Chennai has received 70.1mm of rain, 34% below normal. Tiruvallur has logged 94.7mm (19% below normal), Kancheepuram 63.3mm (43% below normal) and Chengelpet 27.5mm (70% below normal)
