Chennai Weather in November: Dry Start Expected, But La Niña May Bring Heavy Rains Later This Month

After a rain-soaked October, Chennai is seeing a warmer and drier start to November, but weather experts warn that the calm may not last long. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is likely to witness above-normal rainfall later this month, even as most other parts of Tamil Nadu may experience below-average showers.

Dry Start, Warmer Days

November opened on a dry and sunny note, with daytime temperatures hovering around 34°C and night temperatures near 26°C. IMD’s week-ahead forecast predicts partly cloudy skies and occasional thunderstorms on November 3 and 4, which may bring isolated showers accompanied by lightning.

While the start of the month remains relatively rain-free, Chennai’s average November rainfall — around 37 cm — suggests that heavier spells are still likely as the northeast monsoon gains strength.

IMD’s Outlook: Cooler Nights Ahead

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra confirmed that Chennai recorded 29% above-normal rainfall in October, largely due to the early monsoon onset. He added that November’s overall monsoon activity is expected to be “normal”, with cooler nights and warmer days persisting in the first half of the month.

“Rainfall may be below normal for the next two weeks over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,” he said, “but the pattern is likely to shift mid-month.”

The La Niña Effect

Meteorologists attribute Chennai’s shifting rainfall pattern to the ongoing La Niña phenomenon — the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which tends to suppress rainfall over southern India.

The IMD expects La Niña conditions to continue through November and December 2025, which could reduce rainfall intensity during the early half of the season before rebounding later.

October’s Record Rains

October was one of the wettest in recent years, delivering 246 mm of rainfall across the southern peninsular subdivisions — including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. This ranks as the third-highest October rainfall since 2001, trailing only 2005 and 2019.

Despite the abundant rain last month, Chennai residents experienced harsh sunshine and high humidity toward the month’s end, with maximum temperatures touching 35.5°C in Nungambakkam and 35.4°C in Meenambakkam.

Humidity levels stayed high between 70% and 80%, making the weather feel hotter than usual.

What’s Next for Chennai

According to IMD’s extended forecast, dry weather will likely persist until November 2, followed by scattered rainfall and thunderstorms between November 3 and 6. Temperatures are expected to dip slightly from the second week of November, marking the return of monsoon showers.

Residents can expect light to moderate rains around mid-November, with chances of heavy downpours toward the end of the month if La Niña shifts atmospheric circulation patterns.