Tamil Nadu braces for thunderstorms and isolated heavy rainfall this weekend

Chennai: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast the return of rains over Tamil Nadu from Saturday, with light to moderate showers expected in several parts of the state, including Puducherry and Karaikal.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated locations, signalling a renewed spell of unsettled weather.

Heavy rainfall is predicted at isolated locations in Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Kallakurichi, and Tiruvannamalai districts, prompting residents to remain cautious. Despite the showers, minimum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are expected to show little change, remaining near normal. Night temperatures were 2–3°C below normal at a few locations in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal, while Erode recorded the highest maximum at 32.6°C and Dharmapuri the lowest minimum in the plains at 16.0°C. Hill stations also remained cool, with Kodaikanal reporting a minimum of 3.9°C.

The RMC attributed the changing weather to an upper air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep, around 0.9 km above mean sea level, which continues to influence moisture movement and aid cloud formation over Tamil Nadu.

Popular weather blogger R Pradeep John has indicated that the next notable rainfall spell may occur around January 25, lasting one to two days, temporarily increasing cloud cover and night-time temperatures before minimum temperatures drop again.

Moist easterly winds are expected to return to the Tamil Nadu coast from Friday, while a strong Western Disturbance remains active over northern India. Rainfall may resume along the coast from January 24, though intensity and spread could vary depending on evolving weather patterns.

Meanwhile, northern and north-western India continues to experience severe weather due to back-to-back Western Disturbances. States including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and parts of the NCR are likely to see widespread rainfall or snowfall, thunderstorms, high winds, and hailstorms over the next few days.

For Tamil Nadu, the combination of the easterly wave from the Bay of Bengal and westerly flows from the Western Disturbance is expected to trigger isolated heavy rainfall in interior districts on Sunday, with thunderstorms and lightning extending into Monday, and neighbouring Kerala and Mahe also likely to experience unsettled weather.

Residents are advised to monitor local forecasts and take necessary precautions during the expected rains, particularly in flood-prone or low-lying areas.