Daytime highs are forecast around 32–33°C, while nighttime temperatures will remain steady near 27°C. Humidity levels are projected to stay moderate, and no major rainfall disruptions are expected in the city’s core areas.
The IMD has advised citizens to remain alert to sudden thunderstorm activity during late afternoons and evenings. Despite the wet spell, the RMC has ruled out extremely heavy rainfall for Chennai at this stage.
Overall, the southern state is set to experience another spell of widespread rainfall over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, forecasting intense showers and thunderstorms across several districts through October 19.
The wet spell is expected to impact both coastal and interior regions, including the Western Ghats, where heavy to very heavy rain has been predicted on Friday and over the weekend.
Rain forecast for the week ahead
According to the RMC’s latest bulletin, the ongoing rainy phase is likely to persist until October 19, with isolated thunderstorms and lightning expected across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
- October 17 (Friday): Heavy rainfall is likely over Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal.
- October 18 (Saturday): Rain is expected to intensify again over the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Dindigul, Theni, Virudhunagar, and Madurai regions.
- October 19 (Sunday): The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari districts may continue to see heavy showers.
- October 20 (Monday): Light to moderate rain will likely persist over Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, and Dindigul, marking the tapering end of the system.
The RMC has issued thunderstorm and lightning alerts for several districts during this period, advising residents and commuters to exercise caution, especially in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging.
Western Ghats & interior districts
The Western Ghats districts — including Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, and Tenkasi — are expected to bear the brunt of the heavy rainfall. Interior regions such as Salem, Namakkal, Karur, and Dindigul are also likely to receive significant showers, while Erode, Dharmapuri, Tiruppur, and Madurai may experience intermittent thunderstorms.
According to the RMC, the rain activity is being driven by moisture-laden easterly winds interacting with a low-pressure trough over the southern peninsula. The system is expected to bring much-needed precipitation to interior Tamil Nadu, even as local authorities monitor potential flooding in high-rainfall zones.
