Residents of Pune woke up to unusual weather conditions on Monday morning as parts of the city experienced light mist and haze, reducing visibility significantly in several areas. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the phenomenon and provided detailed explanations about what caused these conditions.
Visibility Drops Across Pune
Lohegaon recorded the poorest visibility at just 2.5 kilometers, while Shivajinagar reported better but still reduced visibility ranging between 4km and 10km. IMD officials immediately began monitoring the situation to understand the underlying causes and potential impacts on the city.
An official from the meteorological department explained that the combination of prevailing moisture and overnight cooling created perfect conditions for this weather event. Relative humidity levels reached between 80-90% in some areas during the morning hours, creating an environment ripe for moisture condensation.
The Science Behind Mist and Haze
IMD officials clarified the distinct mechanisms behind mist and haze formation. When humidity levels are sufficiently high and temperatures drop at night, water vapor transforms into tiny droplets that form mist. However, when humidity is slightly lower, moisture instead clings to fine particulate matter in the air, creating what we recognize as haze.
The official specifically noted that what Pune experienced on Monday was haze rather than fog, marking an important distinction in meteorological terms. The department confirmed that Pune has not reported any instances of fog this season so far.
Temperature Readings and Pollution Concerns
Temperature data collected across various Pune locations showed Pashan recording the lowest minimum temperature at 16.8°C. Other areas reported slightly higher readings with Shivajinagar at 17.4°C, Chinchwad at 20°C, and Lohegaon at 20.2°C.
IMD officials expressed concern about winter pollution potentially intensifying hazy conditions in the coming weeks. Particulate matter provides surfaces for moisture to settle, meaning that as pollution levels increase, haze forms more easily and tends to persist longer in the atmosphere.
Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to remain in the 14-16°C range over the next few days. Night temperatures will stay near normal for late November, and light mist or haze may continue in isolated pockets during early mornings due to ongoing cooling patterns and residual moisture in the atmosphere.
Humidity levels observed at key monitoring stations ranged between 82% and 94% on Monday morning, creating continued favorable conditions for shallow mist formation in the immediate future.
