Chennai, April 1
After enduring a spell of intense summer heat, Tamil Nadu is set to receive a much-needed respite with light to moderate rainfall expected across the state from April 2 to 4, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).
The change in weather is attributed to multiple meteorological factors, particularly a cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and a wind discontinuity over peninsular India. These systems are forecast to trigger rain and thunderstorms across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Over the past week, temperatures soared across the region, with Vellore and Madurai hitting a scorching 40 degrees Celsius -- the highest in the state so far this year this season. However, meteorologists predict a dip of 2 to 3 degrees in maximum temperatures as rainfall activity picks up.
The interior and western parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit the most from the showers. Districts such as Coimbatore, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Theni, and Dindigul are likely to see rain on April 2.
On April 3, isolated showers are expected over the ghat areas of Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, and Erode. Light to moderate rainfall may continue in isolated parts of the state on April 4 and 5, according to the latest weather bulletin from the RMC.
A trough extending from interior Odisha to the Comorin region -- cutting across South Chhattisgarh, interior Maharashtra, Karnataka, and North Tamil Nadu -- is also expected to contribute to this shift in weather.