Scattered rainfall is likely across Tamil Nadu from January 7, prolonging the Northeast monsoon. Some southern districts may receive heavy rainfall for two days.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast rain over coastal areas starting Wednesday, which will then spread to other regions on Thursday. While light to moderate rain is likely to last in a few places till January 11, southern and delta districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall on January 9 and 10.
Six districts, including Ramanathapuram and Mayiladuthurai, may experience heavy rain on Friday, and districts such as Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Villupuram may record intense rainfall on Saturday.
The monsoon has spilled over into January this year, too, like many other years previously. B. Amudha, Head (Additional in-charge), RMC, said that a low-pressure area has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining east Equatorial Indian Ocean on Monday evening under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation. The weather system is likely to become more marked by Tuesday evening and influence rainfall activity over the State, particularly coastal and southern districts.
“We will monitor rainfall activity over the region before deciding on the withdrawal of the monsoon. Sustained dry weather conditions for a few consecutive days are among the key criteria for declaring the withdrawal,” she said.
According to RMC data, the monsoon extended till January 27 last year, during which Oothu and Nalumukku of Tirunelveli received the highest monthly rainfall of 110 cm and 98 cm, respectively.
Tamil Nadu ended 2025 with an annual rainfall of 102.7 cm, which is 12% higher than the State’s average rainfall of 92 cm.
The RMC also forecast that mist/haze will prevail across the State and Puducherry during the early morning hours, and minimum temperature will drop below normal by two or three degrees Celsius in a few pockets till Wednesday.
Published – January 06, 2026 05:30 am IST
