Dog days: Chennai on the boil, but no respite in sight

CHENNAI: Meenambakkam observatory on Thursday recorded the highest temperature in the state, 40.8 degrees C, for the third time this month. This was two degrees above normal. Tiruttani also recorded 40.8 degrees C.
This was also the second consecutive day that the observatory at Meenambakkam recorded the highest temperature in the state. Earlier on May 16, the observatory, which covers parts of the city's southern suburbs, recorded 42.7 degrees C.
Nungambakkam observatory, which covers many core city areas, recorded 39.4 degrees C, one degree above normal. Humidity in both weather stations was above 60%. Experts said the high temperature was due to the westerlies gaining strength and the delayed entry of sea breeze.
For the next 48 hours, the city and the suburbs are likely to a maximum of 39-40 deg C.