Residents of Panaji experienced a slight reprieve from the prevailing winter chill over the weekend as the city's minimum temperature recorded a noticeable rise. The mercury climbed from the season's lowest point, setting the stage for a marginally warmer week ahead.
Temperature Trends Show Gradual Warming
The lowest minimum temperature of the current season, a cool 17.1 degrees Celsius, was recorded on Sunday. However, a significant shift occurred over the weekend, with the temperature rising by 2.4 degrees to reach 19.5 degrees Celsius. Despite this increase, the reading remains 0.8 degrees below the normal average for this time of year.
Throughout the preceding week, the minimum temperature had consistently hovered around 18 degrees Celsius, which is more than two degrees below the expected norm. This persistent dip below the 20-degree mark has resulted in a spell of mild winter chill that has lasted longer this season compared to the previous year.
Coastal Areas Follow Similar Pattern
The warming trend was not confined to the state capital. The port town of Mormugao also recorded a minimum temperature of 19.5 degrees Celsius during the morning hours. This aligns with the prevailing easterly winds in Goa's lower atmosphere influencing local weather conditions.
Earlier, on Friday, the meteorological centre had documented minimums of 18.1 degrees Celsius in Panaji and 18.4 degrees Celsius in Mormugao, highlighting the cooler phase that preceded the weekend's rise.
IMD Forecast and Maximum Temperatures
In response to the rising morning mercury, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Panaji has forecast that the minimum temperature will likely range between 19 to 20 degrees Celsius throughout the coming week.
On the other end of the scale, maximum temperatures have stayed within normal limits. They have been steady at around 32 degrees Celsius for the past few days. An exception was noted in Mormugao, which recorded 33 degrees Celsius on Friday, a figure that is only 0.8 degrees above normal.
According to the latest IMD bulletin, residents should also be prepared for shallow mist or haze at isolated places across Goa during the next few days, a common atmospheric feature during such transitional weather periods.
