January weather system to influence heavy rainfall in parts of coastal districts on Sunday

A few parts of the State, particularly the coastal region, are likely to receive scattered rainfall until Monday. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) issued a yellow alert for a few northern districts on Sunday, indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall.

The unusual January weather system over Bay of Bengal was the reason behind the break in dry phase this month, prolonging Northeast Monsoon. Heavy rains are likely to lash isolated places in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, and Villupuram districts on Sunday.

The RMC had revised heavy rainfall warning on Saturday, and warning was withdrawn for a few districts like Tiruvallur and northern districts on Sunday, due to change in the weather system’s movement.

B. Amudha, Head (Additional in-charge), RMC, said the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal crossed the northeast Sri Lanka coast, close to Mullaittivu, between 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on Saturday.

The weather system is likely to weaken into a well-marked low pressure area, inducing wind convergence and causing rainfall activity over coastal parts of the State. As the northeasterly winds converge towards the centre of the circulation, the wind direction is likely to change to Westerlies, she said.

On Saturday, coastal places like Chennai experienced nippy weather, interspersed with light rainfall, owing to the wind influence that brought moisture from the Bay of Bengal. While the wet spell is likely to continue till January 16, rain may largely reduce from Tuesday.

On the updated heavy rainfall warnings, Ms. Amudha said: “We cannot rule out the possibility of intense downpour in coastal areas whenever there is a system in Bay of Bengal. Early warnings are provided to carry out precautionary measures in multiple sectors. On some occasions, we may not receive rainfall as expected owing to complex weather dynamics.”

The RMC has predicted most parts of the State may experience a cool weather as the minimum temperatures is expected to be normal or drop below average over T.N., Puducherry and Karaikal area till Monday.