As of 22:07 GMT, 12 MAR 2008

SOUTH INDIA

SUMMARY- Occasional rain, showers and thundershowers in Tamilnadu and Kerala yesterday, 0.10-1.50 inches (3-38 mm). Mostly dry elsewhere. Temperatures 75 to 100F (24 to 38C).

FORECAST-

TODAY...Additional showers and thundershowers in Tamilnadu/Kerala, 0.10-1.50+ inches (3-38+ mm). Continuing mostly dry elsewhere. Temperatures 75 to 101F (24 to 38C).

TONIGHT...Lingering showers far south, mostly dry elsewhere overnight. Areas of haze and smoke.

TOMORROW...Similar conditions to those of today.

OUTLOOK...Scattered showers diminishing in Tamilnadu and Kerala, mostly dry conditions elsewhere this period. Temperatures increasingly warm to hot.

INDIA GROUNDNUTS (PEANUTS) - Gujarat, south-central and southeast India are the major growing areas.

Two crops...June to September and November to March. This crop needs adequate but not excessive rains during the growing season.

CROP IMPACT: Late Monsoon season rains favored the reproductive Rabi crop in south India. It had been drier since this late rain ended, however showers were in the area during the middle of February. It had been drier and hotter again during the past few weeks, however showers have moved across the far south belt during the past couple of days. Source: Meteorlogix, DTN's brand of commercial weather services.