Chennai: Easterly winds are keeping temperatures moderate but residents are still feeling the heat. This, say meteorologists say, is only the beginning, as a shift in wind direction could gradually push daytime temperatures up. On Tuesday, the city's maximum temperature may be 35C-36C and minimum 26C-27C. From Wednesday, it may rise by 2C-3C in some TN pockets, including Chennai. Bloggers said it could cross 40C in a few interior districts.
"Since dry weather may persist over most parts of the state, temperatures may rise, including in coastal areas. There may be a moderate rise in temperatures in the city, and seabreeze may influence it. If there is a delay in the arrival of seabreeze, temperatures may rise," said N Senthamarai Kannan, director, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, IMD.
In two days, wind directions may change from east to south, which may lead to a rise in temperatures, said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet Weather. "The anti-cyclone over central and northwest Bay of Bengal could be pushing the easterlies over Tamil Nadu. But in another two or three days, winds may be from the south. This may lead to an increase in temperatures," he said.
The average maximum temperature in March in Nungambakkam is 33.1 deg C.

On Monday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 34.1C and 35.1C, around 0.4C and 0.3C above normal, Humidity was at 70%. 37.6 deg C in Vellore was the highest day temperature in the state. "After March 27, temperature may cross 37C in places like Meenambakkam, while it may be a degree less in stations like Nungambakkam that are closer to the sea. Models show interior districts like Vellore may record 40C," said blogger Pradeep John.