Cyclone Maarutha pulls moisture from Chennai, causes heatwave
Posted on: 18/Apr/2017 9:47:33 AM
Chennai has remained dry for quite some time now. So much so that the city has not received even a drop of rain during the last month. While there have been active weather systems in the form of troughs and cyclonic circulations in the Bay or the Southern Peninsula, they haven’t been able to affect Chennai or its adjoining areas.
In fact, last week season’s first Cyclone Maarutha had developed in the east central Bay of Bengal but it did not affect the Indian Coast and crossed Myanmar today weakening into a depression.
Chennai, until yesterday was enjoying close to normal temperatures. However, there has been a change in the maximums. In fact, while the maximums a day before settled at 34.6 degrees, they have increased to a whopping 39.7 degrees now.
The current maximum in Chennai is at least five degrees above the normal levels. This means that heatwave has finally made an appearance over Chennai which was until now observing normal weather conditions.
The main reason for this change could be attributed to the presence of cyclone Maarutha in the Bay of Bengal. The weather system had pulled the humid winds towards itself. Thus, the wind pattern over Chennai has now changed to south southwesterly.
These winds are dry and hot in nature and are blowing from areas where maximums are already on the higher side. During the next two to three days, maximums will continue to be on the higher side and heatwave will prevail over the region.
Courtesy: skymetweather.com
