Chennai Weather: Coastal Tamil Nadu is expected to receive more rainfall over the next few days, with Chennai likely to see a wet weekend, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office said skies over Chennai will remain partly cloudy in the short term, while rainfall activity is set to increase from later this week.

As per the latest IMD bulletin, light to moderate rain is likely at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, while interior Tamil Nadu is expected to remain dry. In Chennai, the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 29 degrees Celsius, with the minimum between 23 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius.

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Low-Pressure System Driving Rainfall

IMD officials said an upper air cyclonic circulation has led to the formation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, bringing increased rainfall activity.

Due to this system, moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely in Chennai and neighbouring districts on January 10, with heavy rain expected to continue on January 11. A yellow alert has been issued for Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur for heavy rainfall of 6–12 cm in 24 hours on both days. An orange alert has been issued for several delta and northern districts, warning of very heavy rainfall of 12–20 cm.

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January Rainfall Above Normal

The first six days of 2026 have already brought above-normal rainfall to Chennai. Since January 1, the Chennai subdivision has recorded 21.8 mm of rain, about 246 per cent above normal. Nungambakkam recorded around 30 mm, while Meenambakkam received 8.5 mm.

IMD officials said excess rainfall in January is not unusual, as the northeast monsoon often extends into early January. Weather blogger Pradeep John also noted that Chennai has recorded significant January rainfall in recent years, and another spell is likely between January 10 and 12.

Residents have been advised to stay alert as rainfall activity increases across the region.