Chennai, July 11 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday forecast moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds over the Western Ghats districts of Tamil Nadu, while Chennai and a few other parts of the state may witness light thundershowers later in the day.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, a trough extending at an altitude of around 0.9 km persists over the north Tamil Nadu coast.

Another trough lies between 1.5 km and 3.1 km above mean sea level, stretching from Telangana to the east-central Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast.

These weather systems are expected to influence rainfall activity across parts of the state over the coming days.

The IMD said that on Saturday, one or two places in the Western Ghats districts are likely to receive moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds with speeds ranging between 40 and 50 kmph.

Elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal, isolated places may experience light rain accompanied by thunderstorms.

Most other parts of the state are expected to remain dry.

From July 12 to July 14, moderate rainfall is likely to continue at isolated places in the Western Ghats districts, while dry weather is expected to prevail over the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

On July 15, the weather department has forecast light to moderate rain at isolated places in the Western Ghats region, with predominantly dry conditions elsewhere.

Regarding temperatures, the IMD said there is little likelihood of any significant change in maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Saturday.

Similar conditions are expected from July 12 to July 14, although daytime temperatures may witness a marginal increase during the period.

The weather department also noted that maximum temperatures on Saturday are expected to remain close to normal across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

However, between July 12 and July 14, some parts of Tamil Nadu could record maximum temperatures that are 2 degree Celsius to 3 degree Celsius above normal, while temperatures in the remaining areas, including Puducherry and Karaikal, are likely to stay near seasonal averages.

For Chennai, the IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky on Saturday, with the possibility of light rain accompanied by thunderstorms in a few parts of the city. The maximum temperature is expected to hover between 37 degree Celsius and 38 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to remain between 27 degree Celsius and 28 degree Celsius.

—IANS

aal/rad