Chennai winters have grown warmer particularly in core parts over the past decade, says an analysis

Winters in core parts of Chennai have steadily grown warmer particularly over the past decade with data indicating a noticeable rise in minimum temperatures.

Chennai’s core areas have been getting progressively warmer particularly in the past five years as records show an upward trend in night temperature, according to an analysis by Chennai Rains (Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam), a weather blogging site. The analysis was done based on the 20-year Nungambakkam data of Kea weather blogging site.

The night temperature over core areas stayed above 20 degree Celsius over the past five years. The city’s winter has been showing a warming trend since 2021 with the mean minimum temperature (both January and February) remaining above 23 degree Celsius.

This year, winter in Chennai ended with a mean night temperature of 24 degree Celsius. 2024 was warmer with a mean minimum temperature of 25.1 degree Celsius during winter months.

The minimum temperature dipped to the season’s lowest to 22.1 degree Celsius on February 4 this year and the lowest night temperature of 22.6 degree Celsius was recorded on February 17 last year.

K.Srikanth, weather blogger of Chennai Rains, said the maximum temperature has remained stable for two decades since 2005. However, core parts of the city have been experiencing warmer night temperature compared to the previous decade that had nippy weather.

The city had registered sub-20 degree Celsius night temperature during most years in the previous decade. Chennai had cooler winter between 2010 to 2012 as the minimum temperature had dropped below 20 degree Celsius for more than 12 days.

One of the reasons for warmer winters during recent years is the late withdrawal of Northeast monsoon that often spilled over well into January. The temperature moderated by sea breeze and cloudy sky in Chennai also led to shorter winter. Impact of urban heat island effect would be more in core areas. Suburbs that are far away from the coast are relatively cooler.

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has predicted warmer days ahead from Tuesday. Dry weather would settle in over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal and a gradual rise in day temperature by two degree Celsius is likely in the State till the weekend. Chennai may experience a maximum temperature of 35 degree Celsius till Tuesday.