Chennai: If stepping out in Chennai already feels exhausting, there is little relief in the coming week. With the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) forecasting little to no chance of rain, daytime temperatures expected to hover between 38°C and 39°C, and humidity remaining high, residents are set to endure sultry conditions that could make the feels-like temperature cross 45°C during the afternoon.Tamil Nadu Weatherman Pradeep John said this is the hottest July since 2015 and forecast a harsh Sunday for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, and Tiruvallur districts. While July is usually moderated by sea breezes and occasional monsoon showers to keep Chennai’s normal maximum temperature at 35-36°C, their absence this year has led to temperatures repeatedly touching 38-39°C, around 2-4°C above normal.RMC officials said that the trough along and off the Tamil Nadu coast at 0.9 km above mean sea level has become less marked and added that it can no longer influence the weather and help cloud formation. “The trough formed on Saturday and created a rainfall possibility to Chennai, but it has weakened,” said an official.The RMC said maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu are likely to remain 2-4°C above normal at isolated places till Thursday, with further increases expected over the next few days. The districts adjoining the Western ghats may see some relief through light to moderate rain. Strong surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph have also been forecast at isolated places across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Sunday.For thousands of commuters, traffic police personnel, delivery workers, construction labourers, street vendors and others who spend long hours outdoors, the afternoon heat could be particularly taxing. Even short walks to bus stops, railway stations or parking lots may feel draining, while motorists could find vehicles parked in the open becoming extremely hot within minutes.
