Image used for representation
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
After a hot Friday (May 22, 2026) in Chennai, with Meenambakkam touching 40.8 degree Celsius and Nungambakkam recording 39.8 degree Celsius, the city woke up to a cool morning on Saturday (May 23), thanks to the early onset of the moisture-bearing Easterlies.
According to V.R. Durai, Director, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, though places such as Tiruttani, Ranipet, and Arani in Tiruvannamalai experienced rainfall on Friday, Chennai did not get any due to weak easterly winds. The Northwesterly winds from Rayalaseema, which were bringing the heat, were stronger, blocking the Easterlies. “The heat will come down this weekend due to this,” he said.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has also issued a Nowcast bulletin valid till 1 p.m. for light to moderate rains over a few places in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as Puducherry.
It has also forecast the likelihood of heavy rain over isolated places – accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds (with a speed of 40-50 kmph) over one or two places – in the Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, and Namakkal districts over the next 24 hours ending 8 a.m. on Sunday (May 24).
During the same period, light to moderate rain – with thunderstorm and lightning over one or two places – is likely over a few places in north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Karaikal area. Light to moderate rain is expected over isolated places in south Tamil Nadu as well.
On Sunday, heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds (with a speed of 40-50 kmph) over one or two areas, is likely over isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruchi, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Theni, and Madurai districts.
Light to moderate rain over isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning over one or two places, is likely in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Karaikal area on Sunday.
Published – May 23, 2026 12:01 pm IST
