IMD forecasts heavy rain in Tamil Nadu for 3 days as heat crosses 40°C
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu is caught between a scorching heatwave and incoming thunderstorms — Vellore hit 42.2°C even as the IMD warns of heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning over the next three days. The volatile pre-monsoon transition is turning the state's weather into a double-edged challenge for residents and authorities alike.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu for the next three days from 3 May .
Vellore recorded the state's highest temperature at 42.2 degrees Celsius ; Chennai is expected to touch 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
At least 12 locations across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry recorded maximums above 37.8 degrees Celsius .
Incoming rain may be accompanied by gusty winds and lightning in isolated areas.
The IMD has urged vulnerable groups — elderly, children, and those with health conditions — to stay hydrated and avoid peak afternoon sun.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu over the next three days, even as the state endures intense summer heat with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in several districts. The forecast, issued on 3 May by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, comes amid a steady rise in heat levels as summer progresses.
Temperature Readings Across Tamil Nadu
Vellore recorded the highest temperature in the state at 42.2 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest district. Tiruchirappalli, Chennai (Meenambakkam), and Madurai airport each registered around 40 degrees Celsius, while Madurai city, Tirupattur, and Dharmapuri clocked approximately 39.4 degrees Celsius.
Districts including Erode, Karur, Paramathi, and Tiruttani saw temperatures near 38.9 degrees Celsius, while Nagapattinam recorded about 38.3 degrees Celsius. Palayamkottai and neighbouring Puducherry reported temperatures touching 37.8 degrees Celsius. At least 12 locations across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry recorded maximum temperatures above 37.8 degrees Celsius, according to the RMC. In Chennai, the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Why Rain and Heat Are Occurring Simultaneously
Meteorologists note that the combination of rising temperatures and atmospheric moisture is likely to trigger localised thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across parts of the state over the next three days. Officials explained that the transition phase between peak summer and pre-monsoon activity often results in unstable weather patterns across Tamil Nadu — a seasonal phenomenon that brings both extremes in quick succession.
The IMD has also warned that high humidity levels could lead to significantly increased discomfort, making conditions feel considerably hotter than the recorded temperatures suggest. This comes amid a broader pattern of intensifying summer heat across peninsular India in recent weeks.
Relief With Risks: What the Rain Brings
While the expected rainfall may offer temporary respite from the scorching heat, it is likely to be accompanied by gusty winds and lightning in isolated areas. Residents have been cautioned not to treat the incoming rain as an all-clear from weather-related hazards, as sudden and intense spells can pose their own risks.
IMD Advisory for Residents
The IMD has advised residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, particularly during peak afternoon hours. Vulnerable groups — including the elderly, children, and those with existing health conditions — have been urged to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. With soaring daytime temperatures and the likelihood of sudden rain spells, authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and prepared for fluctuating weather conditions in the coming days.
Point of View
Yet the state's public health infrastructure rarely prepares for both hazards at once. Vellore at 42.2°C is a serious heat stress signal, and the IMD's advisory for vulnerable groups deserves more than a footnote. The real question is whether district administrations have activated heat action plans and whether the incoming rain — accompanied by lightning — will be managed with adequate early warning at the local level. Seasonal volatility is predictable; the response to it often is not.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the IMD forecast for Tamil Nadu over the next three days?
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu over the next three days from 3 May, alongside continued high temperatures. The rain is expected to be accompanied by gusty winds and lightning in isolated areas.
Which district recorded the highest temperature in Tamil Nadu?
Vellore recorded the highest temperature in Tamil Nadu at 42.2 degrees Celsius. Tiruchirappalli, Chennai (Meenambakkam), and Madurai airport also registered around 40 degrees Celsius.
Will the rain bring relief from the heat in Tamil Nadu?
The expected rainfall may provide temporary relief from the intense heat, but the IMD has cautioned that it could be accompanied by gusty winds and lightning. High humidity levels are also expected to make conditions feel significantly hotter than recorded temperatures.
Who is most at risk during this weather period in Tamil Nadu?
The IMD has identified the elderly, children, and individuals with existing health conditions as the most vulnerable groups. They have been urged to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and take precautions particularly during peak afternoon hours.
Why is Tamil Nadu experiencing both extreme heat and heavy rain at the same time?
Meteorologists attribute this to the transition phase between peak summer and pre-monsoon activity, which typically produces unstable weather patterns across Tamil Nadu. Rising temperatures combined with atmospheric moisture trigger localised thunderstorms even as heatwave conditions persist.
