Tamil Nadu residents especially in coastal and delta areas should have their umbrellas ready. Scientists have been saying that a new influx of moisture will hit the state this weekend. After a few days of plummeting temperatures and foggy mornings early in January, the focus is now shifting back to precipitation.
Weather Forecast:
Heavy Rain From Jan 9th to 14th. This coming wet spell, several cyclonic circulations are being observed by meteorologists. A low-level cyclonic circulation continues over the south Kerala coast and southeast Arabian Sea, while an upper-level circulation is active over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Heavy Rain Area:
As of January 9, six major districts, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram are expected to receive heavy rainfall.
Broadening Reach:
By January 10, the intensity is predicted to shift slightly and heavy downpours are likely to arrive in Cuddalore and Villupuram too.
Chennai & Northern TN: The capital and its surroundings will most probably see light to moderate rains during this period with cloudy skies prevailing over the weekend.
January’s “Excess Rain” Trend
January is technically a dry month in Tamil Nadu with an average of just 12.3 mm of rainfall. This comes in contrast to a five-year trend in which the state has seen regular “excess” rainfall in January. The state has already hit 7.8 mm of rain within the first five days only of 2026. Historical data indicate that winter rains are on the rise and are getting more severe, with 139.3 mm rainfall recorded in January 2021 in the state.
Impact on Agriculture:
A Warning to Farmers. As harvest season approaches, independent weather bloggers and state officials have encouraged farmers — farmers in particular, in the Kaveri Delta and Kongu region — to take precautions. “Farmers are advised to finish their harvest before January 9 and keep their produce in dry storage to prevent losses from the heavy spells that will come,” said a weather analyst. Rainfall is anticipated to be widespread and cover interior districts and the southern coast, potentially impacting standing paddy crops if they are ready for harvest.
Temperature Drop & Early Morning Fog
In addition to the rain, the state is seeing “winter” effects. Parts of the state's minimum temperatures are expected to remain 2-3°C below normal until there is rain. Morning travelers are warned about shallow fog and mist, which has already reduced visibility in places like Coimbatore, Erode and the outskirts of Chennai.
