After hovering near normal for a few days, the temperatures in Chennai have begun rising again. With easterlies continuing to remain subdued, the city is likely to continue experiencing searing heat on Wednesday (June 17, 2026).

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), however, expects temperatures to stabilise across Tamil Nadu after Thursday (June 18, 2026). On Tuesday (June 16, 2026), many weather stations across the State experienced above normal temperatures. For the second consecutive day, Meenambakkam recorded a sizzling temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius, while Nungambakkam followed closely with 39.6 degrees Celsius.

For June, the Meenambakkam weather station had registered its all-time high record temperature of 43.2°C in June 2012. The RMC has forecast that Chennai will again experience a maximum temperature of 39-40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with light rain in some parts of the city.

Like on many other days this June, blistering heat prevailed over Madurai, with Madurai airport recording 40.5 degrees Celsius, the hottest temperature for the day in the State.

V.R. Durai, Director, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said the lack of cloud cover and a significant weather system had triggered the soaring temperature in coastal places such as Chennai. Strong, dry northwesterly winds kept temperatures elevated through the day.

On Monday (June 15, 2026), sea breeze set in only for a brief while around 6 p.m. A similar weather trend followed on Tuesday as well. Sea breeze prevailing only for a brief period would not help in drastic fall in temperature and comfortable weather, he said.

However, the elevated mercury level may gradually fall till Sunday (June 21, 2026) as the southwest monsoon may become active, bringing significant amount of rainfall across Tamil Nadu. A trough that runs from west-central Bay of Bengal to coastal Kerala may influence weather in the State, Mr. Durai added.

According to the RMC, seven districts, including Theni, Madurai, and Ramanathapuram, may get heavy rain on Tuesday. Various north interior and Western Ghats districts, such as Vellore, Ariyalur, and Coimbatore may have a respite with moderate rain. Heavy rain may continue in various districts on Thursday. Though the intensity may reduce, scattered rainfall may persist across the State till June 22.