Southwest monsoon to hit Tamil Nadu, Kerala by June 3-4; heavy rain alert issued
Synopsis
The southwest monsoon is closing in on Tamil Nadu and Kerala, with the RMC setting a June 3-4 arrival window. Seventeen districts are already under a heavy rainfall alert, pre-monsoon systems have pushed temperatures below normal in Chennai, and gusty winds of up to 50 kmph are expected — signalling that the seasonal shift is arriving on schedule and with force.
Key Takeaways
The southwest monsoon is forecast to advance into Tamil Nadu and Kerala by 3 or 4 June , according to the RMC .
As of 30 May , the monsoon had already progressed over the Arabian Sea , Lakshadweep , the Comorin region , and parts of the Bay of Bengal .
The RMC has issued a heavy rainfall alert for 17 districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for Sunday, with gusty winds of 40–50 kmph .
Chennai's Nungambakkam recorded 35.1°C on Saturday — well below the seasonal norm of 37.9°C .
Temperatures across Tamil Nadu are expected to return to near-normal from 2 June as monsoon activity intensifies.
Oothu , Nalumukku , Ammapettai , and Tholampalayam each recorded the highest pre-monsoon rainfall of 7 cm on Saturday.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast that the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and adjoining regions by 3 or 4 June, bringing widespread rainfall and a gradual drop in temperatures across southern India. The announcement comes as pre-monsoon weather systems have already begun intensifying activity across the region.
Monsoon Progress So Far
As of 30 May, the monsoon had made further headway over large parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, the Comorin region, and several areas of the Bay of Bengal, according to the weather department. Meteorological conditions remain favourable for its continued advancement over the next three to four days.
Chennai Weather and Temperature Readings
Chennai recorded relatively pleasant conditions on Saturday, with increased cloud cover and temperatures falling below seasonal norms. The Nungambakkam observatory logged a maximum of 35.1 degrees Celsius against a normal of 37.9 degrees Celsius, while Meenambakkam registered 37.1 degrees Celsius against its normal of 38.6 degrees Celsius.
For Sunday, the RMC has forecast a maximum of around 39 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 29 degrees Celsius in the city, with light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds likely in parts of Chennai and its suburbs.
Heavy Rainfall Alert for Multiple Districts
The RMC has issued a heavy rainfall alert for several districts on Sunday. Isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram districts, along with Puducherry, are expected to receive heavy rain. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph are also anticipated across many areas.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue on 1 and 2 June, particularly in western and southern districts including Theni and Tenkasi.
Temperature Outlook and Rainfall Data
Daytime temperatures across isolated pockets of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal could remain 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal until 1 June. From 2 June onwards, temperatures are expected to gradually return to near-normal levels as monsoon activity intensifies.
Rainfall data released by the RMC showed that Oothu and Nalumukku in Tirunelveli district, Ammapettai in Erode district, and Tholampalayam in Coimbatore district each recorded the highest rainfall of 7 cm on Saturday. Kakkachi in Tirunelveli received 6 cm, while Pambar Dam, Uthangarai, Edappadi, Sankaridurg, and Manjolai each recorded 5 cm, reflecting the growing influence of pre-monsoon systems across the state.
With the monsoon's formal arrival now days away, residents and authorities across Tamil Nadu and Kerala are advised to stay alert to evolving weather alerts as conditions are expected to change rapidly through the first week of June.
Point of View
Suggesting this year's monsoon is broadly on schedule rather than early or significantly delayed. What stands out is the breadth of the pre-monsoon alert — 17 Tamil Nadu districts under a heavy rain warning before the monsoon has even formally arrived signals that the transition period itself carries significant weather risk this year. Authorities in flood-prone western and southern districts, particularly Theni and Tenkasi, should not treat the formal onset date as the starting gun for preparedness — the rain is already here in meaningful quantities.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the southwest monsoon arrive in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in 2025?
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast that the southwest monsoon will advance into parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala by 3 or 4 June 2025. Meteorological conditions as of 30 May remain favourable for this timeline.
Which Tamil Nadu districts are under a heavy rainfall alert?
The RMC has issued a heavy rainfall alert for isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram districts, along with Puducherry. Thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also expected.
What is the weather forecast for Chennai this Sunday?
The RMC has forecast a maximum temperature of around 39 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 29 degrees Celsius for Chennai on Sunday. Light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are likely in parts of the city and its suburbs.
How much rainfall was recorded in Tamil Nadu on Saturday?
Oothu and Nalumukku in Tirunelveli district, Ammapettai in Erode district, and Tholampalayam in Coimbatore district each recorded 7 cm of rainfall — the highest in the state on Saturday. Kakkachi in Tirunelveli received 6 cm, and several other locations recorded 5 cm each.
When will temperatures return to normal in Tamil Nadu?
Daytime temperatures in isolated pockets of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are expected to remain 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal until 1 June. From 2 June onwards, temperatures are forecast to gradually return to near-normal levels as monsoon activity picks up.
