Past Instances of Rainfall in March in Tamil Nadu
Posted on: 28/Feb/2017 12:37:06 PM
Tamil Nadu Normal rainfall in March is meager 20 mm. Very rarely we get rains during March. In March 2008, Tamil Nadu got all time highest rainfall of 167 mm. It was the only instance in the last 150 years Tamil Nadu witnessed floods in the month of March. But we cant expect a repeat of 2008 march as it is a once in a life time event. In 2006 March too Tamil Nadu got 54.5 mm rainfall. Here are Top 10 highest March monthly rainfall for Tamil Nadu.
March Normal Rainfall for Tamil Nadu - 20 mm
- 2008 - 166.9
- 1984 - 82.0
- 1879 - 76.8
- 1954 - 67.0
- 1893 - 62.0
- 1925 - 61.5
- 1944 - 57.5
- 2006 - 54.5
- 1936 - 52.9
- 1938 - 50.5
I am hoping that March 2017 will find a place in the list of Top Ten at the end of the month. Our target should be atleast to beat 2006 March rainfall.
Past Instances of Rainfall in March in Chennai
If anyone asks me which month is the least to get rainfall for Chennai, i would tell it is March rather than February. Chennai March normal rainfall is just 4 mm which will not even wet our roads. Here are Top 10 highest March monthly rainfall for Chennai
March Normal Rainfall for Chennai - 20 mm
- 2008 - 137.9
- 1933 - 86.9
- 1853 - 85.6
- 1925 - 72.6
- 1852 - 66.5
- 1919 - 49.8
- 1870 - 43.7
- 1893 - 42.2
- 1879 - 38.1
- 1938 - 36.8
I am not expecting too much for Chennai even a 10-20 mm rainfall in Chennai will make me happy. It will not bring any inflows into the dams of Chennai.
What is the cause of Rainfall
Like in March 2008 when it was Lanina year (Cool waters in Central Pacific) and also it was the time when Lanina was decaying and MJO moved into our basin, it created massive amount of Rainfall for entire Tamil Nadu including Chennai. Even this year it is the same case with Lanina fading away and MJO moving into our basin, it isnt surprise that rains are going to follow this and its just matter of time.
Which are the areas in Tamil Nadu to get rainfall
The rains will mostly start frfrom March 3rd and the areas of rainfall depend on the movement of the upcoming system (mostly a Low Pressure Area max). There is a consensus that upcoming low will move through Gulf of Mannar or Comorin (Kanyakumari) Sea. All of South TN areas, (Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, South Interior Tamil Nadu, Delta regions, Periyar belt, Dindigul, Trichy, Madurai, Central and South Coastal Tamil Nadu will get rains. The western Tamil Nadu Like Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur will also get rains after system comes into Kanyakumari Sea as moisture will then only enter into the western fringes. In overall, exciting days are ahead. More area specific forecast will be given a day before the event. To be in brief except Chennai belt all other areas are in good position to get significant rains. Even North interior Tamil Nadu like Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem will get good spell of rains.
How will be the Temperature
Day will not be hot anymore for next two weeks in most of the Tamil Nadu and due to incursion of moisture and cloud cover, we will see warm nights.
Lake Levels
Due to Krishna water there was increase in water levels in both Poondi and Redhills Lakes. Rest nothing much to say. This rains should rains some increase in water levels particularly the southern dams. I will watch out for Papanasam Dam it got awesome rains in January.
Courtesy: Tamil Nadu Weatherman
