Panaji: Goa recorded its warmest night so far this summer on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, with the mercury settling at 29 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This marked the highest minimum temperature recorded in the state this season.
Previous Warm Nights
Last month, the warmest night was registered on April 29, when the minimum temperature touched 28.6 degrees Celsius. Before that, Goa recorded 28.4 degrees Celsius on April 27.
Historical Context
IMD director Nahush Kulkarni stated that Monday's minimum temperature ranked as the eighth-highest minimum temperature recorded in the month of May over the past 50 years. The highest minimum temperature in this period was 29.8 degrees Celsius on May 14, 2023.
Uncomfortable Day Conditions
Uncomfortable weather conditions also persisted during the day. On Monday, the maximum temperature recorded in Panaji was 35.7 degrees Celsius. However, the IMD's 'feels like' temperature, which factors in humidity along with actual air temperature, touched 48.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Until a day ago, the highest 'feels like' temperature displayed on the IMD India portal was 47.3 degrees Celsius.
Explanation of Heat
Explaining the prevailing weather conditions, Kulkarni said the current heat was linked to the typical seasonal warming experienced during the second week of May. 'Such fluctuations are part of normal seasonal variability rather than an extreme anomaly,' he added.
Forecast
He further said that minimum temperatures are expected to remain high over the coming days, likely staying between 28 and 29 degrees Celsius. The oppressive heat is also being attributed to the near absence of pre-monsoon showers across the state this summer season. IMD observations show only 'scattered rainfall occurred at a few places over the state' on Monday. The rainfall deficit is currently at 46 percent.
No large change is expected in the weather conditions over the course of the week as the IMD has forecast dry weather and 'mainly sunny weather conditions' over Goa till May 17.
Additional Information
Readers may also check: Gold Rate in Goa, Silver Rate in Goa, Bank Holidays in Goa, and Public Holidays in Goa.
About the Author: Nida Sayed is the principal correspondent at the Times of India. She writes on Transport, Oceanography, Agriculture, and Meteorology among other subjects. She has been working for TOI since 2014.
