Tamil Nadu’s dry spell may end soon with a deep depression forming over the Bay of Bengal. It will bring scattered rains mainly on the coastal parts for three days starting Friday, January 9, 2026. Such intense weather systems in January are rare, with only 20 recorded since 1891. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said the deep depression lies over the southwest Bay of Bengal, about 810 km southeast of Karaikal and 980 km south-southeast of Chennai. It will cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai on Friday evening. B. Amudha, Head (Additional in-charge) at RMC, said, "While this is not the first time the Bay has churned out intense weather systems during January, such events are not frequent." Heavy rainfall is expected along south-coastal Tamil Nadu as the system moves inland. The RMC issued orange and yellow alerts, warning of heavy rain up to 20 cm in some districts. On Friday, heavy to very heavy rains will hit Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam. Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Mayiladuthurai, and Thanjavur may see heavy rains. On Saturday, rainfall will spread to many coastal and some interior districts. Between Chengalpattu and Ramanathapuram, rain could be intense. Cuddalore and Tiruvarur may get heavy to very heavy rain. Other districts such as Pudukottai, Chengalpattu, and Ariyalur may witness heavy isolated showers. Y.E.A. Raj, former deputy director general of meteorology, said the current system is similar to the January 2023 depression that crossed Sri Lanka’s east coast. Only 11 intense weather systems have appeared over the Bay between 1961 and 2024, most short-lived, and none crossing Tamil Nadu’s coast. Just two, in 1967 and 2005, became cyclonic storms in January. The RMC also forecast ground frost may occur over the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal hills on Friday.