Residents across Chennai woke up to an unusual cold spell this weekend as temperatures fell significantly below seasonal norms, bringing a rare wintry feel to the coastal city. The unexpected drop in mercury caught many by surprise, prompting locals to bundle up in jackets and sweaters — a sight not often seen in Chennai’s typically mild winters.According to weather observers, the cooler conditions are linked to changes in atmospheric patterns including a deep low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal and associated cloud cover that reduced daytime temperatures. These conditions resulted in maximums well below average, leaving people saying the city felt more like Bengaluru or even hill stations such as Ooty than the usual tropical climate.
Social media was abuzz with locals expressing surprise and delight at the chillier air, with some noting that early morning and evening breezes felt significantly cooler than expected for mid-January. Many took to light winter wear — hoodies, scarves and warm cups of tea — to cope with the brisk conditions.
Meteorologists have noted that while Chennai’s winters are generally mild due to its coastal location, periodic temperature dips can occur when certain weather systems align. They expect the cooler pattern to continue for a few more days before conditions gradually return closer to normal for this time of year.