A severe cold wave has descended upon parts of Maharashtra, bringing unseasonably chilly weather to major cities. Pune residents woke up to a shivering 10 degrees Celsius on Monday, while Mumbai recorded its coldest November day in at least eleven years, marking a significant dip in temperatures across the state.
Temperature Plunge Across Cities
Pune's minimum temperature dropped to 10 degrees Celsius on Monday, December 1, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This reading was marginally higher than Sunday's 9.8 degrees Celsius but represented a sharp fall from the 14.4 degrees Celsius recorded just two days prior, on Saturday. The chill was not uniform across the city, with the Pashan observatory recording the lowest at 10°C. Other areas like Lohegaon, Magarpatta, and Koregaon Park were relatively warmer at around 14 degrees Celsius, while Chinchwad recorded the highest minimum of 15.3°C.
In a parallel development, Mumbai experienced its coldest November day since 2014. On November 30, the minimum temperature in the suburbs plunged to 15.7 degrees Celsius, a dramatic drop of six degrees within a single day. This event underscored the intensity of the ongoing cold spell affecting the Konkan region as well.
IMD Forecast and Meteorological Causes
The IMD has predicted that the cold conditions will persist. The minimum temperature in Pune and its suburbs is expected to hover around 10 degrees Celsius until Wednesday, December 3. A gradual rise is forecast thereafter, with temperatures likely reaching 12 degrees Celsius by December 7. Daytime temperatures in Pune have remained stable, hovering between 28-29 degrees Celsius.
Scientists attribute this sudden cold wave to shifting wind patterns. Dr. Sudeep Kumar, a scientist at IMD Pune, explained that cold north winds brought chillier air in the third week of November. However, their flow was later interrupted by low-pressure systems and cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, like Cyclone Senyar, which allowed warmer easterly winds to dominate. The recent formation of Cyclone Ditwah again cut off these warm winds, pulling the cold northern winds back into Maharashtra and causing the temperature to fall.
Dr. Kumar also noted that large-scale climatic phenomena like La Nina are favouring colder temperatures in the central Indian region. The expected slight warming later this week is linked to the weakening of Cyclone Ditwah, though northern parts of the state will continue to feel the cold influence for longer.
Alerts and Broader Impact
In response to the conditions, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for a cold wave in many parts of central and north Madhya Maharashtra, valid until December 2. This alert warns residents, especially vulnerable populations, to take necessary precautions against the cold.
This cold spell in Pune is notable as it marks the first time since November 15 that the city's temperature has fallen to around 10 degrees Celsius. The mercury had climbed to around 17 degrees Celsius by November 25 before the recent sharp drop. The IMD's forecast suggests a brief respite is on the horizon, but the week has begun with an unmistakable winter bite for Maharashtra.
