Salient features of maximum temperature distribution over Tamil Nadu

Abstract

In this paper an attempt is made to study the spatial variations of maximum temperature over Tamil Nadu. From the data of daily maximum temperature of eleven stations in Tamil Nadu for the first six months from 1981 to 1997, it is observed that there are two separate regions namely high maximum temperature region of interior stations and low maximum temperature region of coastal stations from January to May and the distinction disappears in June. Hill station Kodaikanal recorded less maximum temperature that Ootacamund from January to May and it reverses in June. During onset phase of southwest monsoon, maximum temperature decreases over Coimbatore, Pamban and Kanyakumari. In the presence of cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal the maximum temperatures are fallen during the period when the storm affects Tamil Nadu or Andhra coast in May and June whereas when the storms moves farther away from the coast maximum temperature over interior places decreases and increases over north coastal stations.