With dry weather expected to continue over the State for the next few days, the Regional Meteorological Centre expects the Northeast monsoon to retreat from the region in two days.
The monsoon has extended into mid-January on several occasions over the past 15 years. According to the RMC, Oothu and Nalumukku in Tirunelveli districts recorded light rainfall during the past 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Saturday. None of the weather stations in the State recorded any rainfall till Saturday evening.
Officials of the RMC said conditions are turning favourable for cessation of monsoon rain over the south peninsular region, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal within two days. Dry weather is likely to prevail in T.N. till January 22. Mild rain may return to some coastal parts of the State and Puducherry on January 23.
The RMC noted that mist/haze may occur in the State during early morning hours and the night temperature is likely to be near normal till January 21. Isolated pockets over the higher ranges of Nilgiris and Kodaikanal may experience ground frost during night or early morning hours on Sunday.
The State has received surplus rainfall so far this January of 25.7 mm against the average of 9.4 mm. Many districts, including Ariyalur, Dindigul, Erode, Karur, Madurai, and Salem have also registered excess rainfall so far this month.
The Northeast monsoon has seen a delayed withdrawal during many years in the past 15 years. 2024’s monsoon extended till January 27, 2025.
R. Pradeep John, who runs a weather blog ‘Tamil Nadu Weatherman’ said it is common for the monsoon to spillover to January next year during La Nina years. Of late, wet spell persisted till Pongal days. A similar trend has occurred even during some El Nino years.
Some of the recent years in which monsoon withdrew after mid-January were 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. The NE monsoon of 2024 was among the most delayed withdrawals recorded since 1871, he said.
The RMC has forecast Chennai to experience a day temperature of 30-31 degree Celsius for two days.
Published – January 17, 2026 10:22 pm IST
