Chennai rain alert: Thunderstorms, gusty winds forecast till Sunday
Synopsis
A weak low-pressure system along the Tamil Nadu coast is keeping Chennai and five neighbouring districts under a rain and thunderstorm watch through Sunday. The RMC has also flagged heavy rain for Nilgiris and Coimbatore on 24-25 August — with interior districts running two to three degrees above normal temperatures, the region faces a double burden of heat and storm risk.
Key Takeaways
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai has forecast moderate rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds for Chennai and neighbouring districts through Sunday .
Districts under the weather watch include Chengalpattu , Tiruvallur , Kancheepuram , and Ranipet .
Heavy rain is expected at one or two places in Coimbatore and Nilgiris on 24 and 25 August .
Chennai's maximum temperature is forecast between 37°C and 38°C ; minimum between 27°C and 28°C .
Interior Tamil Nadu districts may record temperatures two to three degrees Celsius above normal .
Authorities have advised residents to avoid trees during lightning and urged motorists to drive cautiously in gusty conditions.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai has forecast moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for Chennai and several neighbouring districts through Sunday, 24 August, as a weak low-pressure system persists in the lower atmospheric levels along the Tamil Nadu coast. Residents and commuters in the region have been urged to remain alert.
Districts Under Weather Watch
According to the latest weather bulletin, rainfall is expected across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet districts until Sunday. Districts along the Western Ghats may also experience similar conditions during the same period.
In Chennai specifically, skies are expected to remain partly cloudy on Saturday, with moderate rain and thunderstorms likely during the evening or night. The maximum temperature is forecast to range between 37°C and 38°C, while the minimum is expected to hold between 27°C and 28°C.
Heavy Rain Warning for Hilly Districts
The weather department has issued a heavy rain forecast for one or two places in the hilly areas of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris districts on 24 and 25 August. Moderate rainfall at isolated places along the Western Ghats is also likely on 26 and 27 August. Other parts of Tamil Nadu may remain comparatively dry or partly cloudy, though localised showers cannot be ruled out.
Temperature and Humidity Outlook
No significant change in maximum temperatures is expected across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until Sunday. However, daytime temperatures in interior Tamil Nadu may rise slightly, with some districts recording readings two to three degrees Celsius above normal. The combination of elevated temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture is likely to produce humid and uncomfortable conditions, particularly along coastal districts including Chennai. Thunderstorm activity later in the day may provide temporary relief from the heat.
Safety Advisories Issued
Authorities have advised residents to exercise caution during thunderstorms — specifically to avoid sheltering under trees and to stay away from exposed areas when lightning activity is intense. Motorists have been separately advised to drive carefully during sudden rain spells and strong wind gusts. People in areas prone to waterlogging have been asked to remain especially vigilant during intense rainfall periods.
With the low-pressure system still active along the Tamil Nadu coast, weather conditions are expected to remain unsettled across the region through the coming week.
Point of View
But the combination of coastal humidity, above-normal interior temperatures, and isolated heavy rain in hilly districts like Nilgiris creates layered risk — flash flooding in ghat areas, waterlogging in Chennai's low-lying zones, and lightning hazard across the board. Tamil Nadu's disaster preparedness infrastructure has improved after past monsoon failures, but the real test is last-mile advisory reach in rural Western Ghats communities, where warning systems remain uneven.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in Tamil Nadu are under rain and thunderstorm alert?
Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet are under a rain and thunderstorm watch until Sunday. Districts along the Western Ghats may also experience similar conditions during the same period.
When is heavy rain expected in Nilgiris and Coimbatore?
The RMC has forecast heavy rain at one or two places in the hilly areas of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris on 24 and 25 August. Moderate rainfall at isolated Western Ghats locations is also likely on 26 and 27 August.
What is causing the rain and thunderstorms in Tamil Nadu?
A weak low-pressure system persisting in the lower atmospheric levels along the Tamil Nadu coast is the primary driver of the unsettled weather, according to the RMC bulletin.
What are the safety guidelines issued by authorities?
Residents are advised to avoid sheltering under trees and to stay away from exposed areas during lightning. Motorists should drive carefully during sudden rain and gusty winds, and those in waterlogging-prone areas have been asked to remain especially alert.
Will temperatures change in Tamil Nadu during this period?
No significant change in maximum temperatures is expected across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until Sunday. However, interior districts may see readings two to three degrees Celsius above normal, and the high humidity will make conditions feel more uncomfortable along coastal areas.
