Mumbaikars can expect a notably cool Christmas this year, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a significant drop in mercury levels, with minimum temperatures likely to hover around 14 to 15 degrees Celsius until at least December 24. This forecast comes as a stark contrast to the recent warm spell that gripped the city.
A Sudden Shift from Warmth to Chill
The city experienced a dramatic weather shift over the beginning of the week. On Sunday, Mumbai was reeling under high temperatures of nearly 34 degrees Celsius, earning the dubious distinction of being the warmest city in Maharashtra. However, by Monday, residents woke up to a distinct nip in the air.
Data from the weather bureau confirmed the change. The suburban Santacruz station recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, which is more than two degrees below the normal for this time of year. Meanwhile, the Colaba coastal observatory registered 20.3 degrees Celsius. While nights turned cooler, daytime temperatures still managed to reach around 32 degrees in both suburban and island city areas.
IMD Forecast and Meteorological Reasons
The IMD has indicated that this cool spell will persist through the Christmas weekend. The department forecasts that Mumbai is likely to witness minimum temperatures in the range of 14 -15 degrees Celsius until December 24. Furthermore, the weather bureau has predicted the possibility of fog and mist until Tuesday, which could impede visibility across the city.
Meteorologists attribute this sudden dip to the influx of dry, cold northerly winds sweeping in from the northern regions of the country. However, the relief from the heat is expected to be short-lived. The cool spell is likely to pass after Christmas on December 25, after which minimum temperatures are projected to gradually climb back above 18 degrees.
Broader Context and Air Quality Impact
While Mumbai was the coolest city in the Konkan region on Monday, the coldest temperature across Maharashtra was logged in Ahmednagar, where the mercury plunged to a chilly 7.3 degrees Celsius. For perspective, Mumbai's all-time coldest December temperature was recorded at 10.6 degrees Celsius way back in 1949.
Amid the dipping temperatures, Mumbai's air quality has taken a hit. The city's air quality deteriorated from the 'satisfactory' category on Sunday to an index of 104 on Monday morning, as per monitoring data. Among 18 active stations, the worst Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 127 in Sion, followed by 125 in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Data furnished by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified PM10 and SO2 (Sulphur Dioxide) as the most prominent pollutants in the city's air on Monday. The combination of cold, calm conditions often traps pollutants closer to the ground, leading to such deteriorations in air quality.
