Chennai: Rain activity may return next week, with a weather system over the northeast Bay of Bengal likely to create favourable winds for convective rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu from Sept 1.V R Durai, director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, India Meteorological Department, said a low-pressure area has formed over the northeast Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify into a well-marked low pressure before moving inland over north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal. This may alter the wind pattern over north coastal Tamil Nadu, leading to low-level wind convergence and convection. A cyclonic circulation associated with the system may also strengthen, and changes in the low-level winds are likely to enhance moisture transport and convergence along the North Tamil Nadu coast, thereby supporting increased rainfall activity during this period“We are expecting rainfall from Sept 2 to Sept 4 along north coastal Tamil Nadu, from Tiruvallur to Cuddalore. It may be similar to the moderate-intensity rainfall we received a week ago,” he said.IMD has also forecast light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places over north coastal Tamil Nadu on Sept 1 and Sept 2, with gusty winds reaching 40-50kmph possible at one or two places. On Sept 3, light to moderate rain may occur at isolated places over the region.On Sunday, the city and suburbs may receive light rain with thunderstorms and lightning during the evening and night hours. The sky may be partly cloudy, with maximum temperatures of 38°C and minimum temperatures of 27°C.Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist of Skymet Weather, said the rainfall could also bring a slight drop in maximum temperatures next week. “Next week’s rainfall may be scattered, and not widespread,” he said.The rainfall is much needed as neighbouring districts continue to record large deficits. Since June 1, Chengelpet has logged 108.5mm, 59% below normal; Kancheepuram 207.7mm, 32% below normal; and Tiruvallur 229.5mm, 25% below normal. Chennai, however, has recorded 304.6mm, leaving it with a 3% rainfall excess.
