Dec. weather in Tamil Nadu

mischty · Oct 14th, 2009, 01:10

Hi,
I'll be in Karnataka in early Dec. 2009, and would love to head into Tamil Nadu from Mysore- yer typical Ooty-Madurai/Tiruch.- Pondicherry/the East Coast, give or take a few destinations ,for about 10-12 days ,until mid Dec.
My question is, most tour books -LP,etc., suggest the monsoon retreats across TM in Dec ,making it a very wet month and they give it a miss until Jan..
Every year is different, I imagine,and I've heard that this yr the monsoon didn't even come in some parts of the north, but is it a relatively accurate weather assessment to say that TM is wet in December?
thanks!

camelgirl · Oct 14th, 2009, 03:02

Apparently it depends where you will be in Tamil Nadu.

This is just a small bit of info from Wikipedia.

Tamil Nadu is heavily dependent on monsoon rains, and thereby is prone to droughts when the monsoons fail. The climate of the state ranges from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. The state has three distinct periods of rainfall: (1) Advancing monsoon period, South West monsoon (from June to September), with strong southwest winds; (2) North East monsoon (from October to December), with dominant northeast winds; and (3) Dry season (from January to May). The normal annual rainfall of the state is about 945 mm (37.2 in)[32] of which 48% is through the North East monsoon, and 32% through the South West monsoon. Since the state is entirely dependent on rains for recharging its water resources, monsoon failures lead to acute water scarcity and severe drought.[33]

Tamil Nadu is classified into seven agro-climatic zones: north-east, north-west, west, southern, high rainfall, high altitude hilly, and Cauvery Delta (the most fertile agricultural zone). The table below shows the maximum and minimum temperatures that the state experiences in the plains and hills.[34]

Plains Hills
Max. 46.6 °C (115.9 °F) 32.3 °C (90.1 °F)
Min. 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) 3.0 °C (37.4 °F)

For more info. here a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Nadu

mischty · Oct 14th, 2009, 05:45

Thanks for the link camelgirl..I guess it just depends how long the "Northeast" monsoons will last this year....have you traveled there in December? Is it difficult?

camelgirl · Oct 14th, 2009, 05:58

We were in Tamil Nadu in December about 8 years ago and I don't remember any weather related problems at all. It's a huge State and we went from Chennai south to Thanjavur & Periyar & other places I don't remember. We didn't get to any higher altitudes that would have been chilly.

It's embarassing to not remember where we went because I do remember it was a really great trip! It's the downside of many visits over many years. Starts to blur a bit.

Found this good map which shows how big it is! http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/plac...images/map.jpg

mischty · Oct 14th, 2009, 08:59

you're right..it is a big place! Funny how when you're sitting in front of a screen throwing names and destinations around it's easy to forget there's real land out there.. (at least for me, sometimes). I cribbed this weather sheet from another thread:
http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/c...p3?c=IN&refer= and it doesn't seen too bad/too wet for selected Tamil Nadu areas. Thanks for the help!

Aishah · Oct 14th, 2009, 09:21

I was in Chennai around Dec 7 -12 and travelled in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for six weeks - never struck any rain anywhere. Luck of the draw I guess, this was quite a number of years ago.

Jean-Philipe · Oct 14th, 2009, 09:22

I live in Tamil Nadu, near Chennai, and I generally try to be somewhere else in November and December to avoid the rains. Chennai in particular regularly gets flooded since the city government tends to be very lax about clearing water overflow routes.

Nick-H · Oct 14th, 2009, 14:04

The rains should be over by mid-december.

According to the "schedule" they are about to start --- but the schedule is notoriously unreliable, and we do not know whether we will have floods or draught.

bsprasad · Oct 14th, 2009, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Philipe

I live in Tamil Nadu, near Chennai, and I generally try to be somewhere else in November and December to avoid the rains. Chennai in particular regularly gets flooded since the city government tends to be very lax about clearing water overflow routes.

Chennai needs rain very badly now. The groundwater has gone down..

If not for all, it should rain so that Jean philipe is not dissappointed...

As Nick right said, Our weatherman is always WRONG

Jean-Philipe · Oct 14th, 2009, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

...we do not know whether we will have floods or draught.

I'll have a draught, please. Two if I'm not driving.

Nick-H · Oct 14th, 2009, 23:18

Ahh, having just gone through draft, draught and drought with Mrs N, I find I meant drought.

Can't even spell without my wife

njm44 · Oct 15th, 2009, 02:31

I was considering traveling to Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the middle of November. For some reason I'd assumed the monsoon season would have passed - so it appears that's not the case...

How much does it tend to rain, if such a question can be answered? Are there a number of showers throughout the day mixed with sunny spells, or can it rain non-stop for days on end?

I'm now undecided about whether to risk the south or head further north instead. I come from the UK and I'm traveling in November to escape the bad weather!

Jean-Philipe · Oct 15th, 2009, 09:04

Here's a very generalized rule:

June to September/October: monsoon in most of the country except Tamil Nadu (the south-west monsoon)

mid-October to December: monsoon in Tamil Nadu and parts of the east coast (the north-east monsoon)

njm44 · Oct 15th, 2009, 15:34

I guess I chose the wrong time to go there

. Maybe I'll risk it. It sounds like when it rains it's mostly on the east coast. I intend to head south and towards Kerala, so perhaps I'll escape the rain that way. Or I could just go to Delhi. Decisions, decisions.

santos_g15 · Oct 15th, 2009, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mischty

Hi,
I'll be in Karnataka in early Dec. 2009, and would love to head into Tamil Nadu from Mysore- yer typical Ooty-Madurai/Tiruch.- Pondicherry/the East Coast, give or take a few destinations ,for about 10-12 days ,until mid Dec.
My question is, most tour books -LP,etc., suggest the monsoon retreats across TM in Dec ,making it a very wet month and they give it a miss until Jan..
Every year is different, I imagine,and I've heard that this yr the monsoon didn't even come in some parts of the north, but is it a relatively accurate weather assessment to say that TM is wet in December?
thanks!

I have been living in chennai (Tamilnadu 's capital) for 23 years (

my age) i have never seen heavy rains in december.We receive rains only in november,october end.i Guess you can come to tamilnadu in december .Ideally its the best month to come when temperatures are relatively low.As many denizens would call it, december falls in season hot other seasons being hotter and hottest .just kidding temperature would be in high twenties in plains.

Oct 14th, 2009, 01:10	#1
mischty Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canada Posts: 17	Dec. weather in Tamil Nadu Hi, I'll be in Karnataka in early Dec. 2009, and would love to head into Tamil Nadu from Mysore- yer typical Ooty-Madurai/Tiruch.- Pondicherry/the East Coast, give or take a few destinations ,for about 10-12 days ,until mid Dec. My question is, most tour books -LP,etc., suggest the monsoon retreats across TM in Dec ,making it a very wet month and they give it a miss until Jan.. Every year is different, I imagine,and I've heard that this yr the monsoon didn't even come in some parts of the north, but is it a relatively accurate weather assessment to say that TM is wet in December? thanks! Last edited by mischty : Oct 14th, 2009 at 05:33. Reason: poor choice of words./question not clear

Oct 14th, 2009, 03:02	#2
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,048	Apparently it depends where you will be in Tamil Nadu. This is just a small bit of info from Wikipedia. Tamil Nadu is heavily dependent on monsoon rains, and thereby is prone to droughts when the monsoons fail. The climate of the state ranges from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. The state has three distinct periods of rainfall: (1) Advancing monsoon period, South West monsoon (from June to September), with strong southwest winds; (2) North East monsoon (from October to December), with dominant northeast winds; and (3) Dry season (from January to May). The normal annual rainfall of the state is about 945 mm (37.2 in)[32] of which 48% is through the North East monsoon, and 32% through the South West monsoon. Since the state is entirely dependent on rains for recharging its water resources, monsoon failures lead to acute water scarcity and severe drought.[33] Tamil Nadu is classified into seven agro-climatic zones: north-east, north-west, west, southern, high rainfall, high altitude hilly, and Cauvery Delta (the most fertile agricultural zone). The table below shows the maximum and minimum temperatures that the state experiences in the plains and hills.[34] Plains Hills Max. 46.6 °C (115.9 °F) 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) Min. 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) 3.0 °C (37.4 °F) For more info. here a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Nadu __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

Oct 14th, 2009, 09:21	#6
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,625	I was in Chennai around Dec 7 -12 and travelled in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for six weeks - never struck any rain anywhere. Luck of the draw I guess, this was quite a number of years ago. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Oct 14th, 2009, 09:22	#7
Jean-Philipe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: en route from Timbuk1 to Timbuk2 Posts: 240	I live in Tamil Nadu, near Chennai, and I generally try to be somewhere else in November and December to avoid the rains. Chennai in particular regularly gets flooded since the city government tends to be very lax about clearing water overflow routes. __________________ It's all part of the adventure of travelling! http://indiajp.blogspot.com/

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Oct 14th, 2009, 05:45	#3
mischty Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canada Posts: 17	Thanks for the link camelgirl..I guess it just depends how long the "Northeast" monsoons will last this year....have you traveled there in December? Is it difficult?

Oct 14th, 2009, 05:58	#4
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,048	We were in Tamil Nadu in December about 8 years ago and I don't remember any weather related problems at all. It's a huge State and we went from Chennai south to Thanjavur & Periyar & other places I don't remember. We didn't get to any higher altitudes that would have been chilly. It's embarassing to not remember where we went because I do remember it was a really great trip! It's the downside of many visits over many years. Starts to blur a bit. Found this good map which shows how big it is! http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/plac...images/map.jpg

Oct 14th, 2009, 08:59	#5
mischty Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canada Posts: 17	you're right..it is a big place! Funny how when you're sitting in front of a screen throwing names and destinations around it's easy to forget there's real land out there.. (at least for me, sometimes). I cribbed this weather sheet from another thread: http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/c...p3?c=IN&refer= and it doesn't seen too bad/too wet for selected Tamil Nadu areas. Thanks for the help!

Oct 14th, 2009, 14:04	#8
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	The rains should be over by mid-december. According to the "schedule" they are about to start --- but the schedule is notoriously unreliable, and we do not know whether we will have floods or draught.

Oct 14th, 2009, 23:18	#11
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Ahh, having just gone through draft, draught and drought with Mrs N, I find I meant drought. Can't even spell without my wife

Oct 15th, 2009, 02:31	#12
njm44 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 29	I was considering traveling to Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the middle of November. For some reason I'd assumed the monsoon season would have passed - so it appears that's not the case... How much does it tend to rain, if such a question can be answered? Are there a number of showers throughout the day mixed with sunny spells, or can it rain non-stop for days on end? I'm now undecided about whether to risk the south or head further north instead. I come from the UK and I'm traveling in November to escape the bad weather!

Oct 15th, 2009, 09:04	#13
Jean-Philipe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: en route from Timbuk1 to Timbuk2 Posts: 240	Here's a very generalized rule: June to September/October: monsoon in most of the country except Tamil Nadu (the south-west monsoon) mid-October to December: monsoon in Tamil Nadu and parts of the east coast (the north-east monsoon)

Oct 15th, 2009, 15:34	#14
njm44 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 29	I guess I chose the wrong time to go there . Maybe I'll risk it. It sounds like when it rains it's mostly on the east coast. I intend to head south and towards Kerala, so perhaps I'll escape the rain that way. Or I could just go to Delhi. Decisions, decisions.

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