Tamil Nadu Western Ghats to get moderate rain for 6 days; Chennai thunderstorms likely
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu is caught between two weather extremes at once — moderate rain bearing down on Western Ghats districts for six straight days, while northern areas brace for temperatures running 3°C above normal. Chennai faces the sharpest contrast: thunderstorms after dark, scorching heat by day.
Key Takeaways
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast moderate rainfall across Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats districts for six days from 3 August .
Chennai may experience moderate rain with thunderstorms in the evening or night, with daytime temperatures around 38°C .
Northern Tamil Nadu faces a heat warning, with temperatures likely 3°C above normal during the day.
Vellore , Ranipet , Kancheepuram , Chengalpattu , and Cuddalore received heavy overnight showers, causing waterlogging and power disruptions.
Isolated showers are also expected in the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu during the forecast period.
Residents have been advised to remain prepared for sudden thunderstorms and intense brief spells of rainfall.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast moderate rainfall across Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats districts for a continuous six-day period beginning Sunday, 3 August, even as northern parts of the state brace for above-normal daytime temperatures. The forecast follows widespread overnight showers across several northern districts that brought temporary relief from a prolonged heat spell.
Recent Rainfall: Districts Affected
Vellore district, which had been enduring scorching daytime heat, received a sudden heavy downpour overnight, triggering a sharp drop in temperature. Neighbouring Ranipet district also recorded substantial rainfall, with areas including Ranipet, Arcot, Arakkonam, and Sholinghur reporting heavy showers lasting more than two hours. The prolonged rain caused power disruptions in several localities and led to waterlogging at multiple locations.
In Kancheepuram district, showers were recorded across Kancheepuram town, Orikkai, Sevilimedu, and Sriperumbudur, with water accumulation on roads slowing traffic movement. Chengalpattu district also witnessed widespread showers, with Madurantakam, Karunguzhi, Melmaruvathur, Mamallapuram, and Kalpakkam among areas that received relief rainfall. In Cuddalore, where intense sunshine dominated the day, weather conditions shifted sharply in the evening, with rain reported between 7 pm and 10 pm on Saturday.
Six-Day Forecast: Western Ghats and Coastal Districts
The RMC has predicted that moderate rainfall will continue across Western Ghats districts for the next six days. Isolated moderate showers are also expected in the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu during this period. This comes amid a broader pattern of erratic pre-monsoon and monsoon-transition weather that has characterised the state's climate in recent weeks.
Chennai Weather Outlook
Chennai is likely to experience partly unsettled conditions, with moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms possible during the evening or night hours. However, daytime temperatures are expected to remain elevated, touching around 38 degrees Celsius. Residents should not mistake nighttime showers for an overall cooling trend — the city's days are set to remain hot and humid.
Heat Warning for Northern Tamil Nadu
The weather department has cautioned that northern Tamil Nadu could face very hot conditions during the day, with maximum temperatures in some areas likely to remain approximately 3 degrees Celsius above normal. This dual pattern — daytime heat combined with evening or nighttime rainfall — is characteristic of the current transitional phase. Residents across the region have been advised to stay prepared for rapidly changing weather, including sudden thunderstorms and brief intense downpours.
Point of View
Layered over above-normal northern temperatures, will test urban drainage in districts like Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu that have repeatedly reported waterlogging. Chennai's dual forecast — scorching days, stormy nights — is not unusual for this time of year, but the 3°C above-normal temperature signal in the north deserves more public health attention than it typically receives. Heat-related illness risk does not disappear because it rains after sunset.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tamil Nadu districts will receive moderate rainfall over the next six days?
The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast moderate rainfall across Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats districts for six days beginning 3 August. Isolated showers are also expected in the northern coastal districts during this period.
Will Chennai receive rain in the coming days?
Yes, Chennai is likely to experience partly unsettled weather with moderate rain and possible thunderstorms during the evening or night. However, daytime conditions are expected to remain hot, with temperatures around 38 degrees Celsius.
How hot will northern Tamil Nadu get during this period?
Northern Tamil Nadu could face very hot daytime conditions, with maximum temperatures in some areas expected to remain approximately 3 degrees Celsius above normal, despite the possibility of nighttime showers.
Which areas reported waterlogging and power disruptions after recent rains?
Waterlogging and power disruptions were reported in several localities across Vellore, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts following heavy overnight showers. Areas including Arcot, Arakkonam, Sholinghur, Orikkai, and Sriperumbudur were among those affected.
What precautions have authorities advised for residents?
Residents across Tamil Nadu have been advised to stay prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly sudden thunderstorms and brief but intense spells of rainfall, which can occur with little warning during this transitional weather phase.
