A broad cloud band has helped control day temperatures in Chennai and its suburbs.

On Saturday, Chennai woke up to a cloudy sky and relatively cool weather as a broad cloud band, located about 80-100 km east-northeast of Chennai over the Bay of Bengal, increased cloud cover across the city and its suburbs.

A strong sea breeze brought moist onshore winds, though the weather remained humid.

V.R. Durai, Director, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said though the cloud band thinned during the day, it helped keep the maximum temperature below normal in the city.

The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 35.3 degrees Celsius and 36.7 degrees Celsius respectively on Saturday.

Though the southwest monsoon is in its weak phase in other parts of the country, it is currently in its normal phase in Tamil Nadu. The State has so far received an overall rainfall of nearly 57 mm, which is 59% above the seasonal average since June 1, he said.

With two weather systems likely to influence the weather in the State for the next few days, the RMC has predicted scattered rain till June 26. Rainfall may be intense in interior and Western Ghats districts, including Madurai, Theni, and Kanniyakumari until June 22.

An upper air cyclonic circulation over north Kerala and another weather system over north Lakshadweep will influence wet weather.

On Sunday, north Tamil Nadu, delta, and Western Ghat districts are likely to experience moderate rainfall, with gusty winds reaching a speed of 40-50 kmph.

Isolated places in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Kanniyakumari, and Tirunelveli may receive heavy rainfall on Sunday. Similar weather trend may persist on Monday too.

Though rainfall intensity may reduce from June 22, cloud cover across many parts of the State is likely to keep day temperatures near normal, Mr. Durai said.

Places such as Palayamkottai, which recorded the highest temperature in the State for two consecutive days, may also see a fall in the mercury level in the next few days.

The RMC forecast light to moderate rainfall in some parts of Chennai on Sunday, with the maximum temperature hovering around 37-38 degrees Celsius.