Why TamilNadu climate has changed after Cyclone Thane? Feel as much feeling as summer  !!!
After Cyclone Thane there was moisture hang around and followed by an easterlies over S. Tamilnadu, so there was High humidity around (particularly along entire Tamilnadu coast)  and min. temps was not going to be LOW. From today, 9-Jan-2012.. Coastal Tamilnadu will have DRY days and Night.. so Day and Night temps will go down.
Interior and S. Tamilnadu may still have some moisture and some isolated showers possible for S. Tamilnadu alone.
On evening and night of 8-Jan, Nagercoil received some drizzles and a sharp shower respectively.

Update on Cyclone Jal ... Moved W-N-W very slowly, still cat-1

Position :: 10.6 N , 85.7 E
Wind :: 120 kmph
Pressure :: 974 mb


IMD warning, 2:30pm IST
-----------------------------------------

Sub:Severe Cyclone ‘JAL’ over Southwest Bay of Bengal: Cyclone Warning for North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh Coasts-Orange Message

            The Severe cyclonic storm, ‘JAL’ moved northwestwards and lay centered at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 6th November 2010, over southwest Bay of Bengal near lat.10.5⁰N and long. 85.0⁰E about 450 km east-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 550 km east-southeast of Chennai and 700 km southeast of Nellore. It would intensify further, move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore close to Chennai by 7^th November 2010 night.

Under its influence, rain/thundershower would occur at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 24 hours and fairly widespread rain would occur over south coastal Tamilnadu during next 48 hours with isolated heavy to very heavy falls.. Thereafter the intensity would increase with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (≥25 cm) over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

            Gale winds speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph would prevail along and off North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from today night It may increase upto 120-130 kmph gusting to 140 kmph at the time of landfall. Sea conditions will be very rough to high, along and off these coasts becoming phenomenal at the time of landfall.

            Storm surge of about 1-2 metres above the astronomical tide may inundate the low lying areas of Nellore & Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tiruvallur, Chennai & Kanchipuram districts at the time of landfall.

Satellite, IR 1pm IST
----------------------------------------

JTWC warning 2:30pm IST
------------------------------------------

060900Z POSITION NEAR 10.8N 85.3E.
TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) 05B (JAL), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 350 NM 
EAST-SOUTHEAST OF CHENNAI, INDIA, HAS TRACKED WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT 
04 KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. ANIMATED MULTISPECTRAL SATELLITE 
IMAGERY REVEALS A TIGHTLY WRAPPED, PARTIALLY EXPOSED LOW LEVEL 
CIRCULATION CENTER WITH DEEP CONVECTION SHEARED TO THE WEST. THE 
INITIAL INTENSITY IS BASED ON PGTW, DEMS, AND KNES DVORAK ESTIMATES 
RANGING FROM 55 TO 65 KNOTS. INFRARED SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS THE 
DEEP CONVECTION HAS WEAKENED SLIGHTLY AND OUTFLOW TO THE EAST IS 
LIMITED DUE TO THE MODERATE VERTICAL WIND SHEAR (VWS). HOWEVER, 
EQUATORWARD AND POLEWARD OUTFLOW REMAIN STRONG. TC JAL IS CURRENTLY 
TRACKING ALONG THE SOUTHERN PERIPHERY OF A MID- TO DEEP- LAYER 
SUBTROPICAL STEERING RIDGE AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ALONG A 
GENERALLY NORTHWESTWARD TRACK THROUGHOUT THE FORECAST PERIOD. TC 05B 
IS FORECAST TO STEADILY INTENSIFY BEFORE MAKING LANDFALL NEAR 
CHENNAI, INDIA JUST AFTER TAU 36. THE SYSTEM WILL WEAKEN BELOW 
WARNING CRITERIA (35 KNOTS) AS IT TRACKS ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIA, BUT 
COULD RE-INTENSIFY AS IT RE-EMERGES IN THE NORTHEASTERN ARABIAN SEA 
AFTER TAU 72. NUMERICAL MODEL GUIDANCE IS IN GOOD AGREEMENT, 
THEREFORE THIS FORECAST REMAINS CLOSE TO MODEL CONSENSUS AND IS 
CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUS FORECAST. MAXIMUM SIGNIFICANT WAVE 
HEIGHT AT 060600Z IS 17 FEET.

JTWC tracking
-------------------------------

Latest NOGAPS model
-----------------------------------------
NOGAPS model suggests a chennai landfall in another 36 hrs.

Update on Cyclone Jal ... Upgraded to category 1 and moved N-W

Position :: 10.5 N , 85.9 E
Wind :: 120 kmph
Pressure :: 974 mb
Though it had moved in N-W direction, the upper air current is still favorable for a N. Tamilnadu landfall.

IMD warning, 8:30am IST
---------------------------------------

Severe Cyclone ‘JAL’ over Southwest Bay of Bengal: Cyclone Warning for North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh Coasts-Orange Message

            The Severe cyclonic storm, ‘JAL’ moved westwards, and lay centered over south west Bay of Bengal at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 6th November 2010, near lat.10.0⁰N and long. 85.5⁰E about 500 km east northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 650 km east-southeast of Chennai and 750 km southeast of Nellore. It would intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm. The system would move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore close to Chennai by 7^th November 2010 night.

Under its influence, rain/thundershower would occur at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over north coastal Tamil Nadu,Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 24 hours and fairly widespread rain would occur over south coastal Tamilnadu during next 48 hours with isolated heavy to very heavy falls.. Thereafter the intensity would increase with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (≥25 cm) over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema..

Gale winds speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph would prevail along and off North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from today evening It may increase upto 120-130 kmph gusting to 140 kmph at the time of landfall. Sea conditions will be very rough to high, along and off these coasts becoming phenomenal at the time of landfall. 

Storm surge of about 1-2 metres above the astronomical tide may inundate the low lying areas of Nellore & Prakasam districts of Andhrapradesh and Tiruvallur, Chennai & Kanchipuram districts at the time of landfall.

Damage expected:

Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees.Flooding of escape routes.

Action suggested:

            Total suspension of fishing operations. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea. Coastal hutment dwellers to be moved to safer places. People in affected areas to remain indoors.

JTWC warning
---------------------------

060300Z POSITION NEAR 10.7N 85.5E.
TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) 05B (JAL), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 370 NM 
EAST-SOUTHEAST OF CHENNAI, INDIA, HAS TRACKED NORTHWESTWARD AT 
07 KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. ANIMATED INFRARED SATELLITE 
IMAGERY AND A 060019Z 91H SSMIS MICROWAVE IMAGE DEPICT TIGHTLY 
CURVED LOW LEVEL BANDING WITH DEEPENING CENTRAL CONVECTION. THERE IS 
GOOD CONFIDENCE IN THE CURRENT POSITION BASED ON A MICROWAVE EYE 
FEATURE IN THE 060019Z 37H SSMIS MICROWAVE PASS. THE CURRENT 
INTENSITY IS BASED ON DVORAK ESTIMATES RANGING FROM 45 TO 65 KNOTS 
FROM DEMS, KNES, AND PGTW. UPPER LEVEL ANALYSIS INDICATES THE SYSTEM 
IS EXPERIENCING SOME PRESSURE ALONG THE EASTERN PERIPHERY DUE TO 
MODERATE (20-25 KNOTS) EASTERLY VERTICAL WIND SHEAR. HOWEVER, STRONG 
DIFFLUENCE ALOFT, AND GOOD OVERALL OUTFLOW IN THE WESTERN QUADRANTS, 
HAVE ALLOWED THE SYSTEM TO STEADILY INTENSIFY. TC JAL IS CURRENTLY 
TRACKING ALONG THE SOUTHERN PERIPHERY OF A MID-TO-DEEP LAYER 
SUBTROPICAL STEERING RIDGE AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE 
ALONG A GENERALLY NORTHWESTWARD TRACK THROUGHOUT THE FORECAST 
PERIOD. TC 05B IS FORECAST TO STEADILY INTENSIFY BEFORE MAKING 
LANDFALL NEAR CHENNAI, INDIA JUST AFTER TAU 36. THE SYSTEM WILL 
WEAKEN BELOW WARNING CRITERIA (35 KNOTS) AS IT TRACKS ACROSS 
SOUTHERN INDIA, BUT COULD RE-INTENSIFY AS IT RE-EMERGES IN THE 
NORTHEASTERN ARABIAN SEA AFTER TAU 72. NUMERICAL MODEL GUIDANCE IS 
IN GOOD AGREEMENT, THEREFORE THIS FORECAST REMAINS CLOSE TO MODEL 
CONSENSUS AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUS FORECAST.

JTWC tracking
------------------------------

Satellite, 8am IST
------------------------------

Update on Cyclone Jal ... Now it's named and Not moving

Position :: 9.6 N , 87.1 E
Wind :: 85 kmph
Pressure :: 989 mb

IMD warning, 5:30pm IST
--------------------------------------
The cyclonic storm, ‘JAL’ over southeast Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary and lay centered at 1430 hrs IST of today, the 5th November 2010, near lat. 9.0⁰N and long. 87.5⁰E about 700 km east of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 900 km east-southeast of Chennai and 1100 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. It would intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm. The system would move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts between Puducherry and Nellore close to Chennai by 7^th November 2010 evening/night.

Under its influence, rain/thundershower would occur at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh from morning of 6^th November 2010. The intensity would increase with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (≥25 cm) over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema from morning of 7^th November 2010.

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would commence along and off North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coast from morning of 6^th November 2010. It may increase upto 120-130 kmph gusting to 140 kmph at the time of landfall. Sea conditions will be very rough to high, along and off these coasts becoming phenomenal at the time of landfall.

Damage expected:

Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees. Flooding of escape routes.

Action suggested:

Total suspension of fishing operations. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea. Coastal hutment dwellers to be moved to safer places. People in affected areas to remain indoors.

The system is under constant surveillance and concerned state Govts. are being informed.

JTWC warning
---------------------------

050900Z POSITION NEAR 9.5N 87.5E.
TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) 05B (FIVE), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 500 NM 
EAST-SOUTHEAST OF CHENNAI, INDIA, HAS TRACKED WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT 
07 KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. THE CYCLONE HAS MAINTAINED AN 
INTENSITY OF 45 KNOTS AS IT CONSOLIDATES UNDER MODERATE VERTICAL 
WIND SHEAR. BANDING FEATURES ARE STILL SOMEWHAT FRAGMENTED IN 
ENHANCED INFRARED IMAGERY. HOWEVER, CENTRAL CONVECTION CONTINUES TO 
BUILD. DVORAK ESTIMATES FROM PGTW HAVE STEADIED AT A 3.0/3.0 OR 45 
KNOTS OVER THE PAST FEW FIX CYCLES. THE CURRENT POSITION IS BASED ON 
A 050228Z SSMIS MICROWAVE IMAGE AND ANIMATED MULTISPECTRAL SATELLITE 
IMAGERY. BOTH PLACE THE LOW LEVEL CIRCULATION CENTER WITHIN THE 
EASTERN SEMICIRCLE AS CONVECTION SHEARS WESTWARD. THE SYSTEM IS 
TRACKING ALONG THE SOUTHERN PERIPHERY OF A SUBTROPICAL STEERING 
RIDGE LOCATED TO THE NORTH OF THE CYCLONE. IT WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK 
ALONG THIS RIDGE THROUGHOUT THE FORECAST, MAKING LANDFALL WITH INDIA 
AFTER TAU 48, BUT NOT BEFORE STRENGTHENING TO NEAR 75 KNOTS. A 
DECREASE IN VERTICAL WIND SHEAR, FAVORABLE UPPER-TROPOSPHERIC 
OUTFLOW MECHANISMS, AND A DEEP POOL OF WARM WATER WILL ALL SUPPORT 
INTENSIFICATION. AFTER LANDFALL THE SYSTEM WILL RAPIDLY WEAKEN AND 
DISSIPATE PRIOR TO EMERGING INTO THE ARABIAN SEA. THIS FORECAST LIES 
CLOSE TO THE PREVIOUS FORECAST AND NEAR THE MODEL CONSENSUS, WHICH 
IS TRENDING SOUTH OF EARLIER RUNS. MAXIMUM SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT 
AT 050600Z IS 12 FEET.

JTWC tracking
----------------------------

Satellite, IR, 6pm IST
------------------------------------

update on S-E Bay Cyclone ... "05B"..Not yet named, getting organized

Satellite shot, 10:30am IST
--------------------------------------

IMD warning, 8:30am IST
---------------------------------------------------

Yesterday’s depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards and concentrated into deep depression and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today the 5th November 2010 near lat. 9.0⁰N and long. 88.5⁰E about 800 km east of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 1000 km east-southeast of Chennai and 1150 km southeast of Visakhapatanam. It would intensify further into a cyclonic storm and move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast between Puducherry and Nellore close to Chennai by 7^thNovember 2010 evening/night.

            Under its influence, rain/thundershower would occur at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from forenoon of 6^th November 2010. The intensity would increase with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over the above regions from morning of 7^th November 2010.

           

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would commence along and off North Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast from morning of 6^th November 2010. Sea conditions will be very rough along and off these coasts from the same time. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast.

JTWC warning, 8:30am IST
-------------------------------------------------

050300Z POSITION NEAR 9.3N 88.6E.
TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) 05B (FIVE), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 530 NM 
EAST-SOUTHEAST OF CHENNAI, INDIA, HAS TRACKED WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT 
08 KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. ANIMATED MULTISPECTRAL SATELLITE 
IMAGERY AND A 042316Z SSMI IMAGE DEPICT IMPROVED CONVECTIVE BANDING 
WRAPPING FROM THE NORTH INTO THE WESTERN QUADRANT. IMAGERY ALSO 
SHOWS A PARTIALLY-EXPOSED LOW-LEVEL CIRCULATION CENTER ALONG THE 
EASTERN EDGE OF THE CONVECTION, BUT, IN GENERAL, SHOWS A MORE 
CONSOLIDATED SYSTEM. ANIMATED WATER VAPOR IMAGERY CONTINUES TO 
INDICATE IMPROVING OVERALL OUTFLOW AND SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE 
EASTERN QUADRANT DESPITE MODERATE EASTERLY VERTICAL WIND SHEAR 
(VWS). THE CURRENT INTENSITY IS BASED ON DVORAK ESTIMATES OF 45 
KNOTS FROM PGTW. TC 05B IS TRACKING WESTWARD ALONG THE SOUTHERN 
PERIPHERY OF THE LOW- TO MID-LEVEL SUBTROPICAL RIDGE AND IS FORECAST 
TO CONTINUE TRACKING WESTWARD TO WEST-NORTHWESTWARD THROUGH THE 
FORECAST PERIOD. AVAILABLE MODEL GUIDANCE IS IN TIGHT AGREEMENT, 
THEREFORE, THIS FORECAST IS POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE MODEL CONSENSUS. 
TC 05B IS FORECAST TO INTENSIFY AT A SLOW RATE (TO 55 KNOTS) IN THE
NEXT 24 HOURS DUE TO THE VWS, BUT IS EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY AT
A FASTER RATE AFTER TAU 24 AS VWS DECREASES. THE SYSTEM SHOULD
REACH A PEAK INTENSITY NEAR 75 KNOTS NEAR TAU 48, AND IS EXPECTED TO 
DISSIPATE OVER LAND BETWEEN TAU 72-96. MAXIMUM SIGNIFICANT WAVE 
HEIGHT AT 050000Z IS 11 FEET. 

JTWC tracking

---------------------

Tamilnadu rain 28-Oct-2010

Rain in Tirupur
-------------------
Tirupur: Rain hit many parts of the district on Wednesday night and Thursday.

Following is the rainfall recorded (in mm) by various rain gauge stations in the district – Dharapuram-54; Udumalpet -38; Palladam-31; Tirupur-18.4; Kangeyam-16.2; Mulanur-13 and Avinashi-2.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/29/stories/2010102956150500.htm

Heavy rain lashes Thanjavur
---------------------------------------
THANJAVUR: Heavy rain lashed Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts on Thursday. The rain is beneficial for samba transplantation.

The amount of rainfall received in both the districts till 8 a.m. on Thursday : Kumbakonam 29 mms; Kodavasal 26.4 mms; Lower Anaicut 35 mms; Valangaiman 13.4 mms, Nannilam 10.3 mms and Peravurani 8.2 mms

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/29/stories/2010102955940300.htm

Heavy rain lashes Salem
-------------------------------
SALEM: Rain lashed Salem city and its suburbs on Thursday.Heavy rain has been battering the district since Wednesday evening, leaving two dead.

Omalur recorded highest rainfall of 41 mm of rain followed by Yercaud 31.8 mm, Sankagiri 30, Edapadi 25.6, Mettur 25.4 and Salem 13.7 mm.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/29/stories/2010102951090300.htm

Rain lashes Coimbatore district
---------------------------------
Coimbatore: Coimbatore district witnessed widespread rain on Wednesday.Steady inflow into catchments at Siruvani and reservoirs under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project has been reported, owing to the showers.Officials here expect the rainfall figures to go up on Thursday.The rainfall figures in m.m. at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday are as follows, according to official sources:

Annur 40, Mettuppalayam 34, Periyanaickenpalayam 16, Sulur 98, Agricultural University 8, Chinna Kallar 1, Valparai PAP 21, Valparai 6, Sholayar 9, Siruvani 1 and Coimbatore South 2.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/28/stories/2010102863060300.htm

Only 40% North East Monsoon rainfall for Tamilnadu - 2010

40% NEM 2010 RF..!!!! & ????
But I am very pessimistic about NEM 2010 rainfall. It is and it will be a "RETREATING" SW monsoon with [I hope] lesser than normal rainfall. LA NINA will be stronger during Oct Nov Dec 2010 and cold tongue will be penetrating from East central Pacific to Western Pacific to Indian Ocean and some time may bring colder than normal minimum temperature in East coast especially SCAP & N-TN. 


posted by Kaneyen

Its NE-monsoon week for Tamilnadu - Widespread rainfall in the state

Coimbatore
------------
After a long disappointment over the delayed or inadequate rainfall during the South-West monsoon, a downpour lashed Coimbatore city and suburbs on Friday night.

Rainfall in mm during the last 24 hours till 8.30 a.m. on Saturday: Annur - 6, Peelamedu - 46.3, Mettupalayam - 50.2, Pollachi - 32, Periyanaickenpalayam - 40, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University - 48, Sulur - 37, Coimbatore South Taluk - 56, Thondamuthur - 30, Valparai Taluk - 8, Chincona - 4 and Chinnakallar - 3. Parambiulam - 4, Aliyar - 15.4, Thirumurthy - 5, Amaravathy - 27, Upper Nirar - 3, Lower Nirar - 1, Manacadavu - 46, Sircarapthy - 4, Upper Aliyar - 2, Kadamparai - 2, Uppar - 28, Valparai - 11, Thoonakadavu - 2, Vettaikaranpudur - 22, Pongalur - 28, Pollachi - 32 and Nallaru - 10.

Rain proved to be minimal in the Western Ghats along the catchments of the Parambikulam – Aliyar Project (PAP) reservoirs. Officials said that the rainfall during the South-West monsoon remained inadequate and the reservoirs are yet to reach the brim. The water level in dams on Saturday: Sholayar - 124.49 ft as against the Full Reservoir Level of 160, Parambikulam 47.85 ft as against the FRL of 72, Aliyar 115.80 ft as against the FRL of 120 ft, Thirumurthy reservoir 53.18 ft as against the FRL of 60 ft and Amaravathy had 62.50 ft as against the FRL of 90 ft.

Siruvani, the reservoir that takes care of the drinking water needs, witnessed a downpour. The rainfall in the catchment was 75 mm and at the foothills was 40 mm. The storage is said to be improving considerably. The storage stood at 28.37 feet as against the FRL of nearly 50 feet.

Thanjavur
-----------
Heavy rain lashed Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts on Saturday. The agriculture department officials said the rain was beneficial for standing Kuruvai crop. According to P.Loganathan, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur , Kuruvai crop is in the tillering to flowering stage.

The rainfalls recorded in the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Saturday were as follows (in mm): Thanjavur 15.3, Kumbakonam 25.4, Valangaiman 13.5, Ayyampettai 18, Papanasam 61, Thiruthuraipoondi 45.5, Neyvasal Thenpathi 66, Mannargudi 34, Muthupettai 66, Peravurani 14, Vettikadu 19, Orathanadu 41.5, Madukkur 44 and Pattukottai 31.

Nagapattinam
-------------
Torrential rain continued unabated for the second day with the district recording an average rainfall of 21.98 mm on Saturday. Vedaranyam recorded the highest rainfall of 70.40 mm. According to sources at Vedaranyam, the rains brought respite to the herbivores at Kodiakarrai sanctuary. However, flooded salt pans would slacken salt production, sources said. The morning's heavy rains in Nagapattinam block also brought in its first of rain-induced loss with inundation of a fair price shop here.

Rainfall recorded for the 24-hour period upto Saturday 8 a.m. are as follows (in mm): Vedaranyam 70.40 ; Tirupoondi 46; Thalainayar 26; Manalmedu 22; Nagapattinam 15.40; Mayiladuthurai 9 ; Sirkazhi 6; Tharangabadi 3; and Kollidam recorded nil rainfall.

Tiruchi
----------
Several parts of the Tiruchi district received intermittent shower on Saturday, bringing down the temperature. The sky remained overcast throughout the day.

Navalur Kuttapattu recorded the maximum of 43 mm of rainfall in the district.The following were the chief amount of rainfall recorded in other parts of the district during the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. on Saturday (in mm): Thuraiyur 36; Kovilpatti 27.40; Samayapuram 25; Ponnaniyar Dam 22; Marungapuri 20.20; Manapparai 17.20; Kuppampatti 15 and Vathalai Anicut 6.60. The district recorded an average of 11.35 mm of rainfall during the period.

Dharmapuri
---------------
Rain lashed Dharmapuri district from Friday night. Karimangalam experienced a maximum rainfall of 245 mm.Dharmapuri district experienced a maximum rainfall of 365 mm. All the lakes and ponds in and around Karimangalam were filled to the brim.

Krishnagiri
—————
In Krishnagiri district, many places received moderate rain from Thursday night. Moderate rain occurred on Saturday morning for about two hours. Rainfall recorded in mm in various places is: Denkankottai – 76, Anchetti – 43, Thaly – 27, Royakottai – 29, Barur – 63.4 and KRP Dam – 8.2.

Nilgiris
———–
Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed several parts of the Nilgiris on Friday night. With the downpour continuing till the small hours of Saturday, Ooty recorded 71 mm of rainfall and Kotagiri 75 mm.

Chennai
----------
Overcast skies and a steady drizzle across most of the city kept temperatures down allowing Chennai to have a cool day providing respite from the heat, on Saturday. The weather station in Meenambakkam received close to 24 mm of rain while the Nungambakkam station recorded just over 13 mm. Area cyclone warning centre director S R Ramanan said, “The rains have been caused by an upper air cyclonic circulation. We have put out a forecast for 24 hours. People can expect rains over the next 48 hours.”

Namakkal
—————
Rain continued to batter Salem city and the district for the second consecutive day on Saturday. The heavy rain, which began on Friday evening forcing the postponement of DMK public meeting which Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was to address, inundated the low-lying areas in the city. The Gandhi Stadium resembled a pool and many roads and streets had come under a sheet of water.

Salem city recorded 30.4 mm. Tourists shied away from Yercaud as bitter chill swept across the hill resort since Friday morning. Rains added to their woes. Power failure also had gripped the town. Namakkal town and surrounding places received rain since Friday evening. Kolli Hills also recorded heavy rains

Erode
—————
Incessant rain affected normal life in various parts of Erode district on Saturday. A number of parts in the district, including Erode town, received heavy showers on Friday night and Saturday. The overcast sky and incessant rain brought down the temperature significantly, giving the much needed respite from heat.

Vellore
----------
Light to heavy rain lashed Vellore, Katpadi and surrounding areas on Saturday afternoon.The rain came as a relief to residents, who were worried about the monsoon playing truant, resulting in the depletion of groundwater in most areas and water scarcity everywhere.The rain brought cheer to farmers who had raised rain fed crops.

Tamilnadu Agricultural Weather Network

Tamilnadu Agricultural University is maintaining a web based weather net work which gives instantaneous [block level] meteorological data of 224 places through out Tamilnadu. These data can be accessed on line. These AWS data are hourly based and are more useful.

However the pressure data need to be calibrate. The pressure now it gives is wrong.

Interested person can go through the link provided below:

Tamilnadu Agricultural Weather Network

Rainfall characteristics of Coimbatore district in Tamilnadu

The Coimbatore district is situated in North Western part of the TamilNadu, the district covering an area of 4889 sq.km falls between 10°13'4" North to 11° 24'5" North latitude and 76° 39' 25" East to 77° 18' 26" East longitude. The temperature ranges between 18.32°C in the month of January and 36.42°C in the month of April. The area is bonded by Western Gates on West, Nilgiri hills in North West and Anaimalai and Palani hill in south. The district gradient of slope gradually decreases towards west to east, the district drain Bhavani, Noyal, Pallar, Amaravathi rivers. The study deals the rainfall characteristics of the Coimbatore District, which includes the spatial distribution and variability through different seasons, precipitation ratio and frequency occurrences. The study is based on 49 years of the monthly rainfall data for 33 rain gauge stations.

Winter Season

During the winter season the region heavily experiences low rainfall and it is driest among the all season which is maximum recorded at adjacent area of the region which Coonoor 86.82 mm in the month of February and lowest recorded at Coimbatore town which is 4.1mm in the month of February. The amount of rainfall decreases north west to north east and central part of region such as Annur, Sulur, Sultanpet, Krishnapurm and Podanur. Its rainfall average 20mm, this season contributes 2.07% to mean annual rainfall.

The variability rainfall is higher in this season while comparatively to other season, because low rainfall areas experiences greater fluctuation of variability. The lowest variability recorded adjacent area of region which is Coonoor 77.29% maximum at Palladam 232.2% and lowest variability recorded north western part which is Anaiktti 115.34% and southern part such as Upper Niradam (Chinnakallar), Solaiyar Nagar, Valaparai, Anaimalai experiences the low variability and central part eastern part gradually increase variability of rainfall, this fluctuations indicates the region experiences heavy low rainfall.

Summer Season

This is hot weather season the mount of rainfall gradually increases and however, the amount of rainfall occurrence in this season is largely due to convection effect, this season contributes 14.97% of mean annual rainfall this season average rainfall is 186.01mm and almost 80% area receives more than 186 mm accept north western and southern part of district. The highest amount of rainfall is recorded at the Upper Niradam (Chinnakallar) 224.14mm in the month of May and seasonal average is 370.7 mm and where the lowest rainfall is recorded in Krishnapuram 5.3mm and its seasonal average 69.8 mm.

The variability during this hot weather season maximum recorded at P.N. Palayam (86.36%), Attaikatti (79.93%), Negamam (78.34%), Sulur (77.86%), and Krishnapuram (76.07%) Coimbatore town (67.35%) Podanur (63.36%), Peelamedu (56.6%), and variability generally decreases from north to south and lowest variability experience adajecent area at Tthirumrthy Nagar 44.32%, and Solaiyar Nagar (49.07%), Sultanpet (52.03%), Vettaikarnpudur (54.93%), Mettupalayam (56.6%), and Pollchi (58.06%),.The variability of region highest experience in north and eastern part of region. This season will be low because west of influences by the pre monsoon winds.

South West Monsoon Season

Huge amount of rainfall variation noticed in this season, half of northern part of district receives low rain and half of southern part receives heaviest rainfall during season. The average rainfall of this season 573.20 mm and it is 46.13 % of mean annual rainfall. The highest seasonal rainfall recorded in Upper Niradam (Chinnakallar) (3655.5mm), and 1202.1 mm in the month of July, 996.25mm in June, 924.22 mm in August. Soliyar Nagar 2846.1mm, Anaimalais 2702.8mm, Valparai 2098.1mm, Topslip 772.4mm, lowest seasonal rainfall recorded in Krishnapurm 60.5mm, and 7.4 mm rainfall recorded in the month of August Sulur 113.9, Sultanpet 136.4 mm rainfall but southern parts of Districts receives more than 80% rainfall during this season. Most of south and west of Pollchi and Palaghat gap experiences highest rainfall, because of influence by leeward of Western Ghats. Upper Niradam, Soliyar Nagar, Anaimalais and Topslip are wettest places of district.

The south west monsoon rainfall variability experiences very less variability, comparatively to the other season, that is the 28.02% lowest at Topslip, Anaimalai, Valparai, Solaiyar Nagar and west of Pollachi and south of Chitrachavdi experiences very less variability due to heavy rainfall during this season. Where as very high variability experiences at adjacent area of region Poolankinar 89.99%, Sultanpet, Sulur, Krishnapurm, Podanur, and P.N.Palayam.

North East monsoon season

The North east monsoon season is important rainy season in the district, total rainfall in this season is low comparatively to the south west monsoon, but the eastern, north western, andcentral Upland region such as Annur, Sulur, Sultanpet, Negamam, Krishnapuram, Podanur Coimbatore town, and Peelamedu experiences maximum quantum of rainfall. This season contributes 36.82% of mean annual rainfall and average rainfall this season is 457.49 mm rainfall. The rainfall is gradually increase east to north west and south western part of the district, the highest rainfall recorded in adjacent area at Sundakapalayam 1713.3 mm, Upper Niradam 599.3, Anaikatty 589.64mm, Attakati 570.2, and where as lowest rainfall is recorded in Vettaikarnpdur 258.2mm, Annur 260.6mm and Krishnapuram 271.4mm, and Sultanpet 284.4mm, 80% of area receives well rain in this season, and most of agricultural activity takes places for showing crops.

The north east monsoon rainfall variability experiences higher than the south west monsoon due to lesser rain, the maximum variability recorded at adjacent area of such as Sundakaplayam 453.74% and lowest at Kethi 24.37% and north of Pollachi indicated higher variability and Anaimalai, Topslip, and Sultanpet experiences low rainfall variability. However rest of area experiences uniformity of variability.

Variability of Rainfall

“Variability defined as the deviation from mean” or “ratio of the standard deviation to the mean rainfall” and in other words variability of co-efficient of variation. Annual rainfall variability of region stretches between 19.69% to 387.91% at adjacent area of the region which is Coonoor and Sundakapalyam respectively, and 21.16% at Topslip and highest variability recorded in the central part of region that is Padanur (52.28%) and P.N.Palayam (51.81%) at northern part of region. Sultanpet experiences very low variability in eastern part district and in south western part Topslip and Vettaikarnpudur experiences low variability and Anaikatti, Coonoor experiences low variability in north western part of the region where as rest of district experiences homogenous variability in the region.

Coimbatore district bounded by Western Ghats,in the west and north of Nilagiri hills, in the south Anaimalai and Palani hills, and this district stretches in rain shadow region of Western Ghats. Normal rainfall of region during 1959­-2008 is 1242.49 mm and this district receives above normal rainfall of Tamil Nadu state. The maximum rainfall recorded at Upper Niradam (Chinnakallar) 1202.01mm in the month of July,and lowest of region recorded at Coimbatore town 4.1 mm in the month of February. The Coimabtore districts experiences driest in the month of January. The analysis of region heavy rainfall experiences towards the south and south western part and north western part in summer, south west monsoon and north east monsoon season, and huge amount of deficit in the east, north east and gradually in south east part and central part of district. The south west monsoon contributes the highest percentage of rainfall, which is 46.13% (573 mm), north east monsoon 36.82% (458 mm),summer 14.97% (186 mm) and winter season contribute lowest of which is 2.07 % (26 mm).

Source: Ishappa Muniyappa Rathod, Aruchamy.S, epartment of Geography, School of Geosciences,Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli­.
Photo:-My Collections

Annual Rainfall
-------------
Chinnakallar - 466cm (wettest place in Tamilnadu)
Solaiyar Nagar - 371 cm
Anaimalai - 352 cm
Valparai - 288 cm
Sundakapalayam - 201 cm (of 201 cm it gets 172 cm rainfall from North east monsoon - probably the wettest place in India during NEM)

For more Rainfall data on Coimbatore dt visit www.Tamilnaduweatherman.blogspot.com

Rainfall across Tamilnadu in last 2 days

Ramanathapuram

Several parts of Ramanathapuram districts received heavy rain on Friday, bringing cheer to the people. The rain, which began at around 10.30 a.m., continued till around 12 noon. The town received good rainfall for the first time since May. Rainwater logged the streets such as Vandikkara Street, Vevekanandar Street, Salai Street, Kenikarai, Agraharam Road and other low lying areas of the town. The sky was overcast all through the day in Ramanathapuram. Other areas including Paramakudi, a few places around Thiruvadanai received moderate to heavy rain.

The rain had brought down the temperature to a great extent, which was abnormally high during the last few days. It was expected that the present climate would continue to prevail for a few more days.

Sivaganga

Many parts of Sivaganga districts including Karaikudi and Sivaganga also received heavy downpour on Friday. The people of Karaikudi enjoyed the heavy rain that lashed at the early hours. Many streets were flooded due to the heavy rainfall.

Salem

Rains for nearly two hours lashed Salem city and its suburbs on Thursday night inundating all low-lying areas. An unidentified body was found in a drainage channel on Friday morning at Seelanaickenpatti here. Rain water mixed with sewage entered the houses at many low-lying areas in the city forcing the residents to undergo a sleepless night on Thursday. As Corporation was undertaking desilting works in the channel at Narayanana Nagar, the entire water overflowed on to the streets causing great hardship to the residents who insisted that the works should be completed before the onset of rainy season.

Sankagiri registered the maximum rainfall of 66 mm followed by Salem city - 55.5 mm, Yercaud - 55, Mettur - 54.8, Edapadi - 44 and Omalur - 19.8.

Krishnagiri

Heavy rain lashed many parts of the Krishangiri districts on Thursday night. Due to this, water level in many water bodies in the districts have improved moderately. Flood water entered residential colonies in low-lying areas near KRP Dam in Krishnagiri. Villagers of Chinnamuthur, Sundekuppam and Periyamuthur said that even a brief spell of rain, flood water logged in the area for two-three days. This is because of the absence of proper storm water drain facilities and encroachments on the canals, villagers said. The water level of the KRP Dam on Thursday was 48 ft against its full height of 52 ft. Depression brought rain in the district whole night on Thursday, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Water levels rose in many water bodies in Denkanikottai, Thali area.

The maximum rainfall registered in Thali is 107 mm. Rainfall in other areas in mm: Nedungal - 96.4, Shoolagiri - 86.4, Denkankottai - 86, KRP Dam - 75, Krishnagiri - 37.5, Anchetti - 25, Uthangarai - 33, Hosur - 14.4 and Royakottai - 14.

Dharmapuri

Due to heavy downpour in Dharmapuri, many roads such as Four Roads junction, Tirupattur Road, Mohamed Ali Road and Pennagaram Road were flooded. In many places, rain water was flowing on the road along with sewage.

Rainfall registered in mm: Palacode - 114, Dharmapuri - 105, Marandaalli - 92.6, Thumbal Alli Dam - 57, Pennagaram - 44, Pambar - 40, Nagavathi - 33 and Chinnar Dam - 27.

Erode

Erode district witnessed moderate to heavy showers on Thursday night. Bhavani Sagar registered a maximum rainfall of 64 mm followed by Perundurai (30 mm). A few other parts in the district including Erode town, Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamangalam also received moderate showers on Thursday night.

Other heavy rainfall places in Tamilnadu and All about Rain Guage

Some of other places which also record more than 400 cm rainfall. 
A few among them is 
[1] Balamore  (Kanyakumari district)
[2] Upper Kothiyar (Kanyakumari district)
[3] Kuthiraivetti & Poolankudiyeruppu (>300 cm) in Tirunelveli district
[4] Agamalai in Theni district.

Further, please ascertain that the raingauge stations are having the right raingauge [FRP type / 200sq.cm collector area or SIMON type 127 sq.cm collector area] and having relevent [20mm /25mm] measure glass respectively.
If they have one type of raingauge and measure rainfall with other irrelevant measure glass then the measurement is faulty. Moreover the time of observation is also important. It is 0830 hrs IST ending of date and should be entered in to date's account.
Then only comparision is reliable.

posted by Kaneyen

Chennai: One of the coolest June in decades

If you enjoyed the weather more this June, you had good reason to feel as if spring was in the air. It was the third coolest June in 42 years with the mercury dipping below the average for 14 days in the month, said Met officials. “This June, the average fell from 37 to 35.2 degrees Celsius. In 1991, it was 34.3 degrees and 34.9 degrees in 1996,” said YEA Raj, deputy director general, regional meteorological centre. Since 2005, the monthly average has been higher.

“For the first time in recent memory, I decided to make my family spend May and June in the city, and it is a decision I do not regret,” said Priya Anandan, who usually spends the holidays in Ooty. Although children said they felt cheated because they couldn’t play outdoor cricket due to rains, most others were thankful. “Normally, there is self-rationing of water in our apartment complex but due to the rains there was no disruption in supply,” said N Mohan of RA Puram.

With the onset of the southwest monsoon, local thunder storm activity brought in a good amount of rainfall to the city. Met officials said the arrival of cyclone Laila and the rainfall in the wake of its withdrawal was the beginning of a good run on the weather front. The city enjoyed nine days of rainfall of varying degrees this June. Although nowhere near the record 698 mm seen in 1996, Nungambakkam registered 137 mm and Meenambakkam 130. The city’s normal is around 40 mm for June, added Raj. In 1991, the city received 264 mm in June.

The thunderstorm activity was not restricted to the city alone, with all but three districts receiving excess rainfall. Against the normal of 42.1 mm, the state received 78.5 mm, an 87% excess. “The last month has been exceedingly good for the state. The trend is likely to continue in July as well, and we can expect more rains and cooler days,” added Raj.

courtesy - TOI (corrections done in Image)

The continuing rain in Coimbatore district and along the Western Ghats for the fourth day on Monday resulted in copious inflow into reservoirs besides steadily increasing the storage in many of the reservoirs, including the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project.

The rainfall level reported across the district at 8.30 a.m in mm were as follows: Chinnakallar- 113, Valparai taluk- 95, Valparai PAP- 93, Chincona- 87, TNAU- 76 and Coimbatore South- 73.

Rainfall variation in Windward & Leeward sides of the Cardamom hills (W.Ghats)

The data from Elappara (Windward side) and Bodinayakkanur (Leeward side) were used in this study. The first is instrumental data from the Elappara during 110 years (1896-2005), representing high altitude humid tropics in the Elappara range of cardamom hills (part of Periyar basin in Kerala facing the Arabian Sea). The station is one of the few hill stations in southern India, which has a record of more than 110 years of rainfall data. The station is located in high altitude (1500 msl) mixed tropical forest, which is a major type of forest in Western Ghats, where there is no clear seasonality in environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature. The other data set is from the Bodinayakkanur station located in Tamil Nadu, on the eastern slopes of the cardamom hills facing the Bay of Bengal (falling under semi-arid tropics) and provided 100 years of rainfall data (1906-2005). This rain gauge station is attached with TWAD (Tamilnadu Water and Drainage Board) board, Bodinayakkanur, Tamil Nadu. The Elappara range forms the western boundary of the cardamom hills' reserves (CHR). The Bodinayakanur range forms the eastern boundary of CHR in Tamil Nadu. The Chokkanadu and Kolukku Malai form the northern boundary. To the west of Elappara range, tropical rainy climate prevails. As one moves eastwards, the climate gets more arid, till it is regarded as completely arid in the region between Saptur and Usilampetti ranges. The CHR thus constitutes an area of 334 square miles, with Bodinayakanur and the Elappara are the representative stations for the two extreme ecosystems the humid and semi-arid tropics (Fig 1) respectively.

LEEWARD SIDE

Semi-arid slopes and the plains of Bodinayakkanur are characterized by a high temporal variability of seasonal and annual rainfall. The data show a drastic change in the rainfall pattern from seasonal to decadal scales (Fig 2), but no significant periodicity appears to be present. Over the last hundred years, the contributions of the ISM, NEM and BR (Blossom Rainfall) were 21.3%, 48.1% and 30.6% respectively. The highest rainfall of 2270.4mm was recorded in the year 1958 and the lowest rainfall of 328.5mm was reported in 1983. Mean annual rainfall for entire period was 767.1mm with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 36.9% and standard deviation of 282.8mm. Highest CV was reported for ISM (108.6%) followed by BR (44.30%) and NEM (40.3%). ISM rainfall ranged from19.82 to 1327.8mm while NEM rainfall varied from 83.8 to 773.3mm. BR also varied greatly from 32.9 to 665.4mm. Since CV was higher than 30% for all the seasons, the region experienced more frequent and severe droughts during the period. Higher Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) (>20) was recorded only in the recent past three decades, which implies very long dry periods for up to 3-5 months. The PCI denotes uniformity of monthly distribution in a year over a particular station or the inter-annual variability. Therefore year-to-year variation in rainfall was considerable and showed definite decreasing trend during the last three decades. The index value was always below 20 for the previous decades.

The mean rainfall of the recent past three decades was well below the centennial average rainfall, clearly indicating decreased monsoon activity. This could be related to increase in tropical deforestation and land use change occurring in the areas surrounding this semi-arid ecosystem, like the Montane cloud forest high waives (Mehamalai) and the cardamom hills during the report period. No alternating pattern of increasing and decreasing rainfall in the decades is seen and no epochal trends in ISM as observed for the rest of the country. The 20, 30, 40 and 50 year running means showed declining trends (2.7 to -3.4 mm per year, with R2 values ranging from 0.42 to 0.85, significant at 95%). This means the future rainfall in the rain shadow slopes of the cardamom hills is likely to decrease. Though historical records say that the eastern slopes have enjoyed good rainfall, in the last century the slopes had lost their thick evergreen forest (90% of primary forest). Whether this has triggered or will trigger changes in rainfall pattern, questionable and sensitivity analysis performed elsewhere showed some teleconnected effects of deforestation in the precipitation change of south East Asia. El Nino and La Nina events have profound influence on the rainfall of this region. The most intense El Nino year in the last century was 1997, when the rainfall was well above the average. Nearly 58% of the El Nino years had below average rainfall. On the other hand 42% of the El Nino years accounted above normal rainfall. Amazingly the lowest rainfall of the last century was in 1983(328.5mm), which happened to be a typical La Nina year, and the effect was spectacular. 70% of the 17 La Nina years brought about below average rainfall and only 30% of the La Nina years experienced more than average rainfall. This shows a changing relationship between semi-arid rainfall climatology and ENSO in this region. Up to many decades ago, the entire area was under cardamom cultivation. For the past 8-10 years, the actual area under cardamom cultivation has shrunk to about 40,000 hectares. Relatively drought resistant crops like coffee and silk cotton are cultivated in the remaining areas. This is indicate the insufficiency of rainfall on the eastern and northern borders of CHR, and the severity of aridity is advancing towards up in the cardamom hills' reserves into the state of Kerala.

WINDWARD SIDE

In our analysis for the period (1896-2005) (Fig 4) the highest rainfall of 7000 mm (1961) was reported. This could be the second highest rainfall in the leeward hill slope of south-Western Ghats in peninsular India after Shimoga in Karnataka where in 8000 mm in a year was received. Careful study of the long term climate record has shown that even seemingly modest fluctuations in rainfall can create havoc in vulnerable societies. Orographic lifting favors the windward to the leeward side ofmountains for convection. However, a close examination of other gauge stations data of the cardamom hills (10-20 years data) indicate that the constant high rainfall (>5000mm in a year) is received near Anaimudi peak (2694 msl). The putative reason for the rainfall maximum in these mountains could be attributed to the strong convection, which undergoes diurnal cycle in which these mesoscale mountains play important role. However, the studies on the reasons for local rainfall maximum need careful observation and analysis besides understanding the physics behind convection-circulation interaction in the mesoscale mountains. The inter annual variations in the monthly rainfall values are very large; for example the values for January and February changed by as much as a factor of two or more from one year to another. The lowest rainfall during the period was reported in 1987 which was one of the two most intense El-Nino years in the world.

There was a strong association of El-Nino phenomenon with below average rainfall (67% of the El-Nino years), indicating a good ENSO relationship. In the case of La-Nina years, fifty per cent of the years enjoyed excess rainfall and rest of the years were low rainfall years. However, the impact of El-Nino phenomenon was not severe during the first pentad of this century in this mountain range. This shows the relationship seems to have weakened in the recent past. Considering these, the scientists concerned should take precautions in forecasting local climate. The coefficient variation of rainfall (CV) for the entire series ranged from 9 to 27%. The decadal averages for the first three decades (1896-1925) and the last three decades (1976-2005) studied, reported values less than the annual mean (5000 mm) for the whole period (1896-2005). Only during the middle period (1926-1975), the decadal average rainfall did exceed the series annual mean. Interestingly the strongest El-Nino years (1997-1998) had received (5120 mm) fairly well above the annual mean. Since 1896, of the total El Nino years, only ten years each in El-Nino and La-Nina years had envisaged less than average. Otherwise all other El-Nino and La-Nina years found to be more than the annual average (5000 mm). These results are found to be for and contradictory to the results reported for many regions of varied environment in India Therefore, extreme rainfall anomaly can occur even in the absence of strong ENSO events, thus uncertainty in ENSO effects is quite large from one environment to another even that are close to each other. The production trend of major spices and plantation crops shows a negative trend for the first one and half a pentads (2000-2007) of this century. Cardamom reported a maximum percentage change of -12.5.1% followed by black pepper (-10.0%) in CHR. In particular, tea production in the cardamom hills has gone down significantly reporting a percentage change of -20% during the recent past seven years. Therefore, this unhealthy trend of production of specific crops is certainly due to the change in the climatic condition which affects both quantity and quality of crops.

Though at this point in time the cardamom hills receive more rainfall than the crops require (for the successful production of tea and cardamom), in the near future the cardamom and tea ecosystem hydrology may get affected as the demand for water is expected to raise many fold. Already many stream flows have been found to decrease and become short lived. Thereby, the ecosystem degradation could be more pronounced at than the present level because cardamom is very sensitive to drought conditions. The most semiarid eastern slopes of the cardamom hills are experiencing down ward march of rainfall. Under the decreasing rainfall pattern coupled with continuing atmospheric warming scenario, the near future could jeopardize the agriculture and sustainable development in this resource (water) poor semi-arid ecosystem, and the coming years could be highly challenging to climate and agriculture scientists as the demand for water would increase by 20-80% in this densely populated valley. Already half a million people from the eastern slopes have moved to western slopes in search of livelihood and the eastern slopes now look like a desert, with at least100 sq.km area (Thevaram- Bodi tract)which have been rendered into a desert like system. Immense ecological degradation and dangerous climatic variability of cardamom agriculture has already been an immutable truth elsewhere in the world. Therefore, understanding rainfall variability in these limited ecosystems is important.

Taken from http://tamilnaduweatherman.blogspot.com/

Widespread heavy showers over Kanyakumari district Tamilnadu on 9-May-10

Rainfall occurred at a few places over Kerala, coastal and South Interior Karnataka. Isolated rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema and North Interior Karnataka. Mainly dry weather prevailed over Lakshadweep. Dry weather prevailed over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Nagerkoil (Kanyakumari dt) recorded a heavy rainfall of 8 Centimetres.
The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in Centimetres are:
Haripad (Alapuzha dt) 6, Jayapura (Chikmagalur dt) 4, Boothapandi (Kanyakumari dt), Kannur and Hunchadakate (Shimoga dt) 3 each, Thalasserry (Kannur dt), Chengannur (Alapuzha dt), Kozha and Kanjirapally (both Kottayam dt), Balehonnur (Chikmagalur dt) and Bargur (Tumkur dt) 2 each and Kuzhithurai and Thuckalay (both Kanyakumari dt), Irikkur (Kannur dt), Piravom (Ernakulam dt), Kochi airport, Mavelikara (Alapuzha dt), Konni (Pathanamthitta dt), Thiruvananthapuram airport, Nedumangad (Thiruvananthapuram dt), Kalyandurg (Ananthapur dt), Mudibidre and Puttur (both Dakshina Kannada dt), Karkala (Udupi dt), Banavasi (Uttara Kannada dt), Hubli (Dharwad dt), Hanagal and Hirekerur (both Haveri dt), Bhagamandala (Kodagu dt), Kottigehara, Ajjampura and Panchanahalli (all Chikmagalur dt), Chikmagalur, Arasikere and C. R. Patna (both Hassan dt), Pavagada and Kunigal (both Tumkur dt) 1 each.
On Sunday, the maximum temperature rose markedly at one or two places over North Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, rose appreciably at one or two places over rest North Interior Karnataka, Telangana, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, rose at one or two places over rest North Interior Karnataka, rest Telangana, fell at one or two places over South Tamil Nadu and changed little elsewhere over the region.
They were markedly above normal at one or two places over Coastal Karnataka, appreciably above normal at a few places over rest coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, at one or two places over Kerala, North Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, above normal at a few places over rest Kerala, at one or two places over rest Tamil Nadu, rest Andhra Pradesh, South Interior Karnataka and were generally normal over the rest of the region.
Ramagundam and Nizamabad recorded the highest maximum temperature of 45 degree Celsius in the region.

From IMD Chennai

What is "'AGNI NATCHATHIRAM" ??

As such meteorologists in India and especially in TN never refer the word 'AGNI NATCHATHIRAM'. Perhaps ancient Tamil people in their climatology, might have classified this period [in the month of May]as hot summer period and named it as 'AGNI Natchathiram. There has been no reference in meteorological glossary, since hottest days may extend in June too.
But the wisdom of the ancient Tamils has to be considered.

Posted by Mr. Ponnachi G Son

Tamilnadu "Anthi Mazhai"

I hope you consider heavy rain as the rainfall greater than equal to 65.0mm.
Evening TS [Anthi Mazhai] from moderately developed towering cumulus will last for minimum 20-40 minutes and rainfall will be around 3-5 cm. The down burst will bring the temperature down by 2-3 degree. Occasionally developed TS will last for more than one hour and accumulated rainfall will be 6-8 cm.[This is w.r.to Tamilnadu, not the NE states where the night time TS gives copious rain]

Posted by Mr. Anonymous

More about Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserver [KMTR]

Posted by Mr. Anonymous
[1] In Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserver [KMTR]there is one place called 'SENGALTHERI' which has to be reached from Kalakad. Only jeep track is available and it is UN declared bio reserve area. During South West monsoon period if you happen to go there you can experience the WIND blowing at tremendous speed.
[45-50 kmph guesting to 90-120 kmph]
The speed is capable enough to strip your dhoti and you can NOT stand errect without hold a mast or rock. I have advised the Forest Ranger there to install wind mills there for power production. But as this is an UN declared bio reserve TN Forest Department and TVS group which was having an idea of establishing wind mills there could NOT do so. This is the catchment area for Manimuthar river. There is a forest guest house there at SENGALTHERI built in 1909]
[2] Secondly near Manjoli estate there is a place known as Kuthiraivetti [this is one of the heavy rainfall regions in this area, apartment upper Kothaiyar which falls in Kanyakumari district where annual rainfall easily crosses 5000 mm] Here in Kuthireivetti, in November 1992, I think, one day annual rainfall of about 99 cm occurred on 11 Nov 1991. But this was NOT accounted properly . The Bombay Burma Trading Company is [Wadia Group] owning the Tea estates there. Perhaps they may be having rainfall records. Or the PWD, WRO, MANIMUTHAR DAM may be having records to this effect.

Why "Vellore - Tamilnadu" records LOW temperature during Winter ??

Vellore during winter period draws wind from North Westerly direction. This dry cold continental wind originates from High pressure located in NW parts of India and passes through Punjab, Hariyana, NCR, West UP, Royalaseema and its eastern flange passes through Vellore. That is why Vellore and towns and cities to its West and NW locations will experience lower temperature in winter compare to Chennai. More over Vellore is inland and coastal effect is also influencing Chennai.

Posted by Mr. Anonymous