Chennai: Mercury levels soared to a new high on Wednesday, with Meenambakkam recording 39.6 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this summer.Weather officials have acknowledged that there is high probability of temperature crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark (or 104 degree Fahrenheit) in the next couple of days. If the last three years' record (for May) is anything to go by, Chennaiites will be better off knowing that the maximum temperatures usually exceed 40 degrees Celsius in the last week of the month (box).
On Wednesday, the maximum temperature as recorded by the Nungambakkam observatory in the city touched 39.1 degrees Celsius, while the Meenambakkam observatory’s measurement read as 39.6 degrees Celsius. These temperatures are the highest for the current season.“Though Agni Nakshatram began on May 4, the actual peak summer is witnessed from the second half of May till the first two weeks of June,” said Mr S.B. Thampi, deputy director general, regional meteorological centre. “Temperatures across the state, including the capital city, will increase during the coming days,” he added.
Weather bloggers like J. Selvan, 23, of KEA Weather site, pointed out the wind pattern, currently blowing in the westerly direction, is delaying the onset of sea breeze - primarily responsible for lowering the day temperatures. “With the setting in of the southwest monsoon expected in early June, temperatures are likely to rise further as dry westerly winds, blowing from land, will be more predominant,” he said.
