Mumbai, India’s bustling financial capital, experienced an unusually chilly morning on Friday, with the temperature dropping to 16.5 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this marked the city’s coldest day in the past eight years.
The Santacruz observatory, responsible for recording suburban weather patterns, documented this record-breaking minimum temperature between Thursday night and Friday morning. Previously, Mumbai had recorded its coldest November temperature of 16.3°C on November 11, 2016. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory, which monitors the island city's weather, recorded a relatively higher minimum temperature of 21.4°C during the same period.
IMD Mumbai scientist Sushma Nair explained that the cold conditions are linked to the easterly and northerly winds currently influencing the region. These winds have effectively lowered temperatures, creating an unusually brisk atmosphere for Mumbai residents.
However, the cold spell appears to be short-lived. According to IMD Mumbai Director Sunil Kamble, warmer days are expected to return after December 3. A developing weather system in the Bay of Bengal, which has caused a depression, is likely to alter wind patterns and increase moisture levels. This will result in rising temperatures and potentially cloudy skies over the city.
On Friday, Mumbai recorded a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C, accompanied by a humidity level of 48%. The air quality index (AQI) stood at 106, with PM2.5 levels measured at 37 µg/m³—indicative of moderate air quality.
While the sudden drop in temperature provided relief to some, the prospect of warmer and more humid days ahead is a reminder of Mumbai’s dynamic weather patterns. The interplay between northerly winds and the Bay of Bengal depression underscores the complex meteorological factors influencing the city’s climate.
With no cold wave predicted for Maharashtra between November 30 and December 3, temperatures are expected to stabilize in the coming weeks. The IMD forecasts that the city will witness typical winter fluctuations, with occasional cooler nights balanced by warm, sunny days.
For Mumbaikars, the recent cold snap was a rare chance to pull out sweaters and scarves—an experience that the city seldom offers. As weather patterns shift, the respite from Mumbai’s usual tropical warmth might soon give way to a more familiar climate.
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