Heatwave conditions to prevail in parts of Tamil Nadu on July 15, says RMC

Chennai is likely to experience hot weather on Wednesday, with the day temperature expected to touch 39 °C to 40 °C.

| Photo Credit: M. SRINATH

An unusual July heat spell intensified across Tamil Nadu, with Madurai Airport recording 42.5 °C, likely the hottest temperature in the country on Tuesday. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast that heatwave conditions will prevail in some parts of interior Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. Chennai is likely to experience hot weather on Wednesday, with the day temperature expected to touch 39 °C to 40 °C.Various places have been reeling under searing heat for the past few days. On Tuesday, mercury level at seven weather stations across Tamil Nadu, including in Madurai, Vellore, Tiruchi and Tiruttani, sizzled above the 40-°C mark and many other places, including Chennai, Karur, and Puducherry recorded a maximum temperature close to 39 °C.With the prevailing weather trend set to continue for two or three days, the RMC has predicted hot and humid weather to prevail over coastal areas of the State, Puducherry, and Karaikal area till July 16. The RMC said the prevailing weather conditions were likely to cause heat stress among vulnerable sections of the population, particularly during the afternoon hours.Officials of the RMC said heatwaves were uncommon in July as the active Southwest monsoon normally moderated temperatures. Madurai Airport’s Tuesday maximum temperature surpassed its previous July all-time high temperature record of 42 °C in 2017.V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, RMC, said a weak monsoon over south India, lack of moisture incursion, and reduced cloud cover had triggered a consistent rise in mercury level, leading to exceptionally high daytime temperatures and heatwave conditions in interior Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Kavali in Andhra Pradesh was also among hottest weather stations in the country, with 42 °C recorded on Tuesday.The maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal by 2 °C to 4 °C at isolated pockets over interior and coastal Tamil Nadu till July 16. Published - July 15, 2026 12:46 am IST