Mumbai residents experienced an unusually chilly Sunday morning as the city recorded its coldest November day in over a decade, with temperatures plunging to a remarkable 15.7 degrees Celsius at the Santacruz observatory.
Record-Breaking Temperature Drop
The India Meteorological Department's Santacruz observatory, which serves as the representative weather station for Mumbai, documented a dramatic 6.1-degree Celsius drop within just 24 hours. This significant cooling event marks the coldest November morning the city has witnessed since 2012, when temperatures had fallen to 14.6 degrees Celsius.
Weather data reveals the sharp contrast between Saturday and Sunday readings. While Saturday's minimum temperature stood at a considerably warmer 21.8 degrees Celsius, Sunday morning brought the unexpected chill that caught many Mumbaikars by surprise. The Colaba observatory also recorded below-normal temperatures at 20.5 degrees Celsius, which was 2 degrees below the seasonal average.
Weather Expert Explains the Sudden Change
Independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak clarified the meteorological reasons behind this abrupt temperature shift. "This was a sudden and massive drop of 6.1°C within just 24 hours, caused by moist southeasterly winds being replaced by dry northeasterlies", Modak explained. He added that this weather pattern has concluded November on the coldest note the city has experienced in more than ten years.
The current temperature reading of 15.7 degrees Celsius at Santacruz represents a substantial 4.4 degrees below the normal seasonal average, indicating the severity of this cold spell. According to IMD historical records, Mumbai's all-time coldest November day remains 13.3 degrees Celsius, recorded back on November 19, 1950.
Weekly Forecast and Historical Context
The India Meteorological Department has issued its weekly prediction, indicating that the cold conditions will persist in the immediate future. Monday is expected to maintain similar temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius, with a further dip anticipated on Tuesday when the mercury might drop to approximately 14 degrees Celsius.
However, relief appears to be on the horizon as meteorologists project a gradual temperature increase starting Wednesday. The minimum temperature range is likely to climb back to around 17-18 degrees Celsius, providing some respite from the current cold wave.
This recent temperature plunge continues a cooling trend that began earlier in November. Minimum temperatures first dipped below the 20-degree mark on November 9, signaling the onset of Mumbai's brief winter-like conditions. Throughout the following week, temperatures consistently hovered between 18-19 degrees Celsius before the notable drop to 16.2 degrees Celsius on November 19, which held the record for the month's lowest temperature until Sunday's 15.7 degrees Celsius reading.
