Spanning length and breadth of the country for nearly five months, the wheels of the South West Monsoon has finally winded up as it has withdrawn from the entire country yesterday. This comes at the back of strengthening of north easterlies’ regime in the lower tropospheric levels replacing the erstwhile westerlies. After a hot and cold run this year, the SWM season has ended in fortunes for many subdivisions and not so for few.
In what is seen as a prelude of commencement of North East Monsoon, premonsoon showers has started lashing coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and spreading into interior parts of the state. Showers tend to become more frequent interspersed by sharp sunny spells and pleasant winds from east. As the monsoon winds continue to pick pace over Bay of Bengal, conditions are becoming favourable for commencement of NEM rains over Southern Peninsula around 27th October. Widespread rains are expected to last most parts of the state from Friday and this should come as a welcome relief for the water managers, the farmers and the common mass.
City Outlook:
Chennai – Sun and cloud mix with highs of 32/33C and high levels of humidity to go with it. Plenty of showers in store to lash the city at various times.
Vellore – Partly cloudy and warm with max temperature settling at 33C. Chance of a spell or two of rains from the east.
Trichy – Warm and partly cloudy with high of about 33C. Chance for few showers in the vicinity during the day/early morning
Madurai – Warm and partly cloudy with max of 33C. A rain spell or two cannot be ruled out in the day/early morning.
Coimbatore – Warm and sunny with max of 32/33C. Light rains possible in parts of the city during daytime.
NEM Fact & Figure # 6
North East Monsoon (NEM) also called as Post Monsoon Season generally starts by Mid October and lasts until end of December. Rain spells are often associated with Depressions and normally lasts 3-4 days followed by dry spells. Tamil Nadu on an average gets around 440 mm while Chennai City gets around 850 mm rainfall.