Mon Jan 06 14:52:01 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Braces for More Rainfall After Chilly Spell

**Chennai, January 6, 2025** – Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to experience another round of scattered rainfall before the northeast monsoon retreats, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai. Hill stations have already seen significantly low temperatures, with minimums reaching 7-8 degrees Celsius on Monday. Udhagamandalam even reported ground frost.

The RMC forecasts a possibility of ground frost in the Nilgiris district on Tuesday, and misty or hazy mornings in some plains areas. While dry weather is predicted until Wednesday, a marginal increase in rainfall intensity is expected between January 9th and 11th, particularly in coastal and southern regions.

A cyclonic circulation over the equatorial Indian Ocean and a trough extending to Tamil Nadu may trigger this renewed rainfall activity later this week. This has prompted the RMC to hold off declaring the monsoon’s official withdrawal.

The unusually cold weather has impacted several districts, with night temperatures 3-5 degrees Celsius below average in areas including Nilgiris, Erode, Madurai, Salem, and Karur. Karur Paramathi recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 15 degrees Celsius.

S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, explained that the clear skies, while leading to warmer daytime temperatures, contribute to significant nighttime cooling as the ground radiates absorbed heat. This effect, amplified after recent heavy rains, caused the ground frost in Udhagamandalam. He also noted that the RMC’s limited observational network in hilly areas may mean that some areas experienced even colder temperatures than officially recorded.

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