Summer wasnt severe but June could be tough

CHENNAI: Contrary to popular public belief, the summer heat in Chennai this year was not very severe with the temperature deviating only slightly higher from the normal range except for a handful of occasions, says Meteorological data. According to the data, the highest maximum 24-hour temperature recorded in the month of May was 41.7 degree Celsius. This is only the eighth highest maximum temperature recorded in the last ten year scale. Way higher temperatures for the month of May were recorded in the years between 2001-2003, and 2007-2008 when the temperatures crossed the 42 degree mark. The year 2003 made a record in the history of Chennai by clocking an all time high of 45 degrees. However, Met officials have warned that the month of June could be warmer than expected.Experts attribute the largely tolerable heat in the month of May to several factors, including the timely, and sometimes early, onset of the sea breeze. “Ideally, in the month of May, the sea breeze should set in earlier than in other months to balance the heat and this year it has been setting in on time,” says YEA Raj, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. If the sea breeze sets in by 12:30 to 1 pm, it could result in a temperature cut of 3-4 degrees Celsius thereafter in the day making the evenings pleasant. However, officials warn that first and second weeks of June might turn out to be a little warmer than expected due to the late onset of the sea breeze. “The sea breeze in the month of June sets in later compared to May causing the heat to prolong and temperature to shoot up marginally making June warmer than expected,” Raj said speaking to City Express.The month of May, according to Met department’s historical data, has been the hottest month for Chennai with maximum temperatures being recorded in the second half of the month. But surprisingly this year, the highest temperature of May was recorded on the first half (May 7th) itself. Temperature ranging from 37 degrees to 38 degrees Celsius is considered normal range for Chennai in the month of May with a deviation of one or two degrees observed usually. This year, the mercury crossed the 40 degree mark only for four days, consecutively from May 6 to May 9. “Events like recording 45 degrees in 2003 are considered as extreme events that happen only rarely,” Raj said.However the pre-monsoon rainfall for Chennai between March 1 and May 18 has been deficient by 52 per cent. While the average rainfall that is considered normal for this period hovers around 40.5 mm, the city recorded only about 19.4 mm.