In north Tamil Nadu, Chennai recorded an average June minimum temperature of 28.6°C in June 2026.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
Persistently warm nights, rather than extreme daytime heat, emerged as the defining feature of June in Tamil Nadu this year, making it the second warmest June recorded in the State this decade.The State’s mean monthly temperature climbed to 29.7 degrees Celsius, nearly 1.1 degree Celsius above the normal temperature in June. This June was characterised by persistent warmth, with elevated daytime temperatures, and one of the warmest night time conditions across Tamil Nadu, noted meteorologists.However, 2019 still holds the record as the warmest June of the decade as Tamil Nadu experienced a mean monthly temperature of 30.3 degrees Celsius.Similarly, the State registered its second highest average minimum temperature in June this year since 2015, highlighting a significant dip in night time cooling across much of Tamil Nadu.According to data compiled by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), June this year registered second highest minimum temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius, nearly one degree Celsius above normal across the State. The average day temperature was 34.5 degrees Celsius during this June, higher than in most recent years but below the peaks experienced in 2019 and 2023.V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said though 2019 and 2023 remain the hottest Junes of the decade in terms of daytime peak temperatures, the persistence of exceptionally warm nights across north, central and south regions of Tamil Nadu made June 2026 one of the most thermally stressful months of the decade since 2015.In North Tamil Nadu, Chennai registered average June night temperature of 28.6 degrees Celsius, with temperatures hovering around an uncomfortable 30 degrees Celsius on several nights. Persistent heat prevailed over north interior belt, south and central districts. For instance, Tiruchi and Palayamkottai experienced average June minimum temperatures of 26.9 degrees Celsius and 27.7 degrees Celsius.Mr. Durai pointed out that the warming trend is being observed since early 2000s in the State. He attributed the unusually high night temperatures this June to enhanced nocturnal warming, caused by the urban heat island effect, weak sea breeze, warm sea surface temperatures over the surrounding seas, and the broader effects of climate change. Published - July 04, 2026 10:11 pm IST
