Chennai: The city might get some relief from the heat in July, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast below-normal day temperatures and near-normal rainfall for the month. But warm and humid nights may continue, with minimum temperatures likely to remain above normal.The city's average maximum temperature in July dips to 35.7°C from 37.2°C in June, while the minimum temperature drops to 26.8°C from 27.9°C. Average rainfall also rises to 10cm, compared to 6cm in June, as thunderstorm activity intensifies in the second half of the month. On Tuesday, the city and suburbs may receive light rainfall, but both day and night temperatures are likely to stay elevated at 37-38°C and 28-29°C.IMD's monthly outlook said the probabilistic rainfall forecast map shows that a few extreme north coastal areas, including Chennai, parts of the delta region, and western TN, may receive normal to above-normal rainfall. The rest of the state may get normal to below-normal rainfall. Most of TN, barring the coastal belt below Chennai and a few interior pockets, may record below-normal maximum temperatures. But above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over many parts of southern peninsular India, the IMD said.

The city saw hot and humid conditions over the past few days. On Monday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 36.9°C and 37.8°C, about 0.3°C and 1.1°C above normal. Before sunrise, Nungambakkam recorded 29.7°C, around 2.4°C above normal, while Meenambakkam station did not record the temperature.