Chennai: The city on Thursday recorded its highest daytime temperatures of the year so far — 38°C at Nungambakkam and 40.2°C at Meenambakkam .Weathermen said the city and its suburbs may continue to experience scorching conditions due to the arrival of hot and dry northerly winds from Rayalaseema, where near-heatwave conditions prevail. Today, maximum temperatures may touch 40-41°C. V R Durai, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai, said the spike is caused by these northerly winds replacing the usual sea breeze, which has so far kept temperatures in check. The shift in wind direction from easterlies to northerlies is linked to a trough, or wind discontinuity, a zone in the lower atmosphere where wind direction changes abruptly.“Temperatures may touch 41°C at Meenambakkam. At Nungambakkam, however, temperatures may remain below 40°C, as it is closer to the coast. Temperatures may stay high for the next two days before dropping by about 1°C,” Durai said.The India Meteorological Department forecast hot and humid conditions today, with temperatures ranging between 40-41°C and 29-30°C. Meteorologists said some relief may arrive around May 3, when there is a possibility of light rainfall over some coastal areas, including Chennai. “Heavier rainfall may be confined to interior districts,” said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet Weather.
