Tue Dec 30 00:00:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Tamil Nadu Braces for Slightly Below-Normal Northeast Monsoon After Six Years of Surplus
Chennai, India – December 30, 2025 – After a six-year period of normal to surplus rainfall, Tamil Nadu is expected to conclude the Northeast monsoon season with slightly below-normal rainfall. As of December 30th, the state has recorded 42.7 cm of rainfall, 3% lower than the seasonal average of 43.8 cm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) considers variations of up to 19% as normal.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) forecasts light rainfall in southern Tamil Nadu and districts along the Western Ghats due to a trough in the Easterlies. Isolated rainfall is possible until January 4th. While the official end of the monsoon is December 31st, the RMC will continue monitoring conditions for a formal withdrawal announcement.
Weather experts attribute the prolonged dry spell to the absence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation over the Indian Ocean during November and December. R. Pradeep John, of the “Tamil Nadu Weatherman” blog, noted that November alone saw nearly 20 dry days, exceeding the seasonal average.
The RMC predicts above-normal rainfall for north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal between January 2nd and 8th, while the remaining regions may experience near-normal to below-normal rainfall.
Additionally, the RMC forecasts a temperature drop of two to three degrees below average in isolated pockets across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal until Wednesday. A ground frost warning remains in effect for higher elevations in Kodaikanal and Nilgiris. Furthermore, Chennai’s streak of surplus rainfall since 2020 has ended this year.
First Piper 