Mumbai's Unexpected Weather Shift: Rain and Temperature Surprise Residents
Mumbai residents were caught off guard on Tuesday morning as unseasonal showers swept across the city, accompanied by a significant rise in minimum temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued timely warnings, but the sudden weather change still managed to surprise many.
IMD's Nowcast Warnings and Rainfall Patterns
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued two yellow nowcast warnings for Mumbai and the Thane district early Tuesday. The first warning came at 5:30 am, followed by another at 7 am, both forecasting light rain across the region.
Rainfall was reported in multiple areas:
- Parts of Thane and Navi Mumbai received light showers in the early hours
- Drizzles spread across Mumbai throughout the morning
- South Mumbai areas experienced light precipitation
- Western and eastern suburbs including Borivali, Andheri, Kurla, and Ghatkopar reported rainfall
Despite the widespread showers, measurable rainfall was minimal. The Colaba coastal observatory recorded just 0.1 mm of rainfall, while the Santacruz observatory logged no measurable precipitation following the morning spells.
Temperature Spike and Meteorological Explanation
The most notable aspect of Tuesday's weather was the sharp temperature increase. Minimum temperatures rose by nearly 4 degrees in a single day, with Santacruz recording 22.6 degrees Celsius Tuesday morning. This represents a significant jump from Monday morning's temperature of approximately 18 degrees Celsius.
IMD scientists explained that the unseasonal showers resulted from a western disturbance system. A senior IMD Mumbai scientist detailed: "The showers were a result of a western disturbance which was dipping low. When a western disturbance is passing, and it is in the lower latitude, then it tends to bring in moisture from the Arabian Sea."
The scientist further noted that if the western disturbance system had been positioned even lower, the intensity of the rains would have been higher. However, the IMD had been expecting these very light spells of rain based on their meteorological models.
Air Quality Remains Moderate Despite Weather Changes
Despite the unexpected showers and temperature fluctuations, Mumbai's air quality maintained its "moderate" status. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 115 on Tuesday morning, staying within the moderate category.
AQI distribution across Mumbai's monitoring stations:
- Seven out of 23 active stations recorded "satisfactory" AQI readings below 100
- Most parts of the city reported "moderate" air quality levels
- The worst air quality was recorded at Chakala in Andheri with an AQI of 166
- The best air quality was observed in Mulund at 70 AQI
Seasonal Context and Rainfall Statistics
This weather event continues a pattern of unseasonal rainfall in Mumbai. The city had previously ushered in the New Year with surprise showers on January 1, affecting both Mumbai and neighboring districts.
Current rainfall statistics for the season:
- Colaba station has recorded 9.3 mm of rainfall so far
- Santacruz station has logged 6.7 mm of precipitation
- This represents an excess of 6-8 mm of rainfall above normal for the region
The combination of unexpected precipitation, temperature variations, and stable air quality creates a complex weather picture for Mumbai residents, highlighting the importance of IMD's monitoring and warning systems for urban planning and daily life adjustments.
