Amid continuing dry weather, temperatures have risen sharply in several parts of Tamil Nadu, signalling the early onset of summer conditions in the State.
On Sunday, Karur and Madurai recorded a maximum temperature of 101°F, as the heat intensified across interior districts. According to the India Meteorological Department at the Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai, temperatures in districts such as Erode and Ramanathapuram were around 3°C above normal.
Meteorologists said the current weather pattern is being influenced by an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep and another lower-level circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lanka coast.
Due to these systems, isolated light rain is expected in parts of Tamil Nadu until March 20. Thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are likely in the Nilgiris and a few places in the southern districts, while most other regions may continue to experience dry and warm weather.
The weather department also indicated that temperatures may slightly decrease by about 2°C between March 16 and March 19 in some areas, though certain districts could still record above-normal heat levels.