As we slowly get into the time of the year when the infamous Chennai Summer phrase starts getting talked about everywhere its time to see reality on its face and get adequately prepared. Chennai for most of the year so far has been provided protection from the Easterly breeze from Bay of Bengal keeping the temperatures under check. Except for a brief period of about 3 / 4 days in March when the Chennai Airport observatory crossed the 100 F mark rest of the time the temperatures have been pretty much warm to moderately hot.
All this is set to change as the coming days from today we are expected to see more Southerly Breeze from the land blow over the East Coast of Peninsular India right along the Chennai coast. This is likely to bring our first proper taste of Chennai Summer as well. As the days progress the wind pattern is expected to be from the Southwest during the early part of the day blowing from the land and carrying it with radiated ground heat. This land breeze is likely to increase the temperatures and make it very uncomfortable during the day until the sea breeze sets in around mid noon.
There is a fair possibility of the day time temperatures in Chennai to increase by a degree or two and possibly inch closer to 37 °C in Nungambakkam while the airport observatory stands a very good chance to score a century in the form of 100°F. Time to Welcome the Chennai Summer.
Most of South India is expected to see day time temperatures increase by a couple of degrees across the board. Going by numerical models except for the Western Ghats and may some coastal areas almost all of the region is expected to see temperatures in excess of 36°C over the next few days. Interior Tamil Nadu is unlikely to see respite as spatially more places are likely to see temperatures closer or more than 40°C. Similarly Andhra & Telengana is likely to see oppressive day time conditions continue with pretty much no chance of any thunderstorm activity that could cool down the region.