The residents of Panaji woke up to an unusually crisp Sunday morning as the mercury plunged below the 20-degree Celsius mark, marking the second such occurrence this season and signaling an early arrival of winter conditions in the coastal state.
Temperature Plunge Recorded
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) documented a significant drop in minimum temperature, recording readings nearly three degrees below the normal seasonal average. While temperatures had been gradually declining from 25°C over recent days, the weekend saw a noticeable sharpness in the air with the thermometer settling at 20.6°C—1.2 degrees below normal.
The cooling trend intensified on Saturday when the meteorological centre registered 19°C in Panaji city, exactly 2.8 degrees below the expected minimum. The neighboring area of Mormugao experienced slightly warmer conditions but still recorded below-normal temperatures at 20.6°C, which was 2.4 degrees lower than typical seasonal readings.
Weather Systems and Forecast
This unusual temperature drop coincides with cyclonic storm Ditwah moving through parts of northern Sri Lanka toward the Bay of Bengal over the past couple of days. The weather system appears to be influencing atmospheric conditions across the region.
According to IMD Panaji, the current weather pattern is expected to persist for several days. The department has forecast mainly clear skies and dry weather conditions, suggesting the cool spell will continue uninterrupted.
Broader Climate Impact
The maximum daytime temperatures have also followed the downward trend, creating pleasantly cool conditions during daylight hours. On the weekend, IMD recorded maximum temperatures of 32°C in Panaji (1.4 degrees below normal) and 32.6°C in Mormugao (0.5 degrees below normal).
This year's temperature pattern contrasts sharply with last year's warmer post-monsoon season. The current cooler conditions bring hope to agricultural communities, as warmer night and morning hours last year had caused delayed flowering and impacted crops for the 2024-25 season.
Farmers are now optimistic that the present weather will facilitate early flowering, with the mild winter season typically spanning from December to February. Meteorological experts suggest that during this period, temperatures may continue to drop further, potentially reaching between 18°C and 19°C in the coming weeks.
