Residents of Mumbai experienced a distinctly crisp and cool morning on Monday as the city's temperature took a significant plunge. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a notable drop, marking a sharp change in the weather pattern.
A Noticeable Drop in Minimum Temperature
The IMD's Santacruz observatory, which provides the representative weather data for Mumbai, registered a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius. This reading represented a substantial fall of 2.2 degrees from Sunday's minimum of 17.4°C. More importantly, this temperature was 2.4 degrees below the normal expected for this time of the year.
Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory, another key weather station in the city, recorded a minimum of 20.3°C. This was slightly below the normal mark by 0.2 degrees. Despite the cool mornings, daytime temperatures remained relatively warm, hovering around the 32°C mark.
IMD Forecast: Cool Spell to Continue
The meteorological department has predicted that the cool conditions are set to persist. In its latest forecast, the IMD indicated that the minimum temperature may further dip to around 14°C on Tuesday. A gradual rise is expected later in the week, with temperatures likely to reach 17°C by Thursday.
The forecast assures Mumbaikars that the spell of cool weather will continue. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain below the 20°C mark until Sunday, December 28, offering an extended period of pleasant winter-like mornings.
Historical Context for Mumbai's December Chill
While the current temperatures are causing residents to pull out their sweaters, Mumbai has seen colder days in its history. According to IMD records, the all-time coldest December day for the city was on December 20, 1949, when the mercury plunged to a record low of 10.6°C.
The current weather pattern highlights the typical winter variability in the coastal city, bringing relief from the usual humidity and heat. Citizens are advised to enjoy the cool spell while it lasts, as per the IMD's projections.
