Residents of Pune woke up to a distinctly chillier morning on Friday, December 19, 2025, as the city's minimum temperatures took a significant dip. Key areas recorded temperatures well below the 10-degree Celsius mark, signaling the onset of a cold spell across the interior regions of Maharashtra.
Recorded Temperatures and Affected Areas
The India Meteorology Department (IMD) reported that the Pashan area registered a low of 7.7°C, while the Shivajinagar weather station recorded 8.3°C. This marked a noticeable drop from the previous day's readings of around 10°C at both locations.
The cold wave was not confined to the city limits. Several towns in the Pune district and surrounding regions also experienced a sharp decline in nighttime temperatures. Ambegaon, Talegaon, Daund, Malin, and Baramati were among the places where the mercury fell below the 10°C threshold on Friday morning. Despite the nip in the air, the IMD clarified that these readings fall within the normal range when compared to the climatic data of the last three decades.
IMD's Explanation and Forecast
SD Sanap, a scientist with the IMD, Pune, attributed the sudden drop to cold and dry winds blowing in from the northern parts of the country. These winds are currently intruding into the region, leading to the dip in minimum temperatures.
"The situation is likely to be similar for the next 48 hours, meaning the minimum temperature will remain around 10°C," Sanap stated. He added that a slight increase of one or two degrees Celsius is expected thereafter. The scientist also explained the contrast residents are experiencing: cold mornings followed by relatively warm afternoons.
The Clear Sky Paradox: Cold Nights and Warm Days
While mornings are cold, daytime temperatures have been hovering around 30°C in the city, with some areas even reaching 31-32°C. Sanap explained this paradox. "The reason for warm days is the clear sky. With no cloud cover, sunlight reaches the earth's surface with high intensity, raising daytime temperatures," he said.
This very absence of clouds is also responsible for the cold nights. "The heat escapes rapidly after sunset, causing nighttime temperatures to drop fast," Sanap noted. The IMD expects the sky to remain clear in the coming days, maintaining this pattern.
Another common winter phenomenon observed by Punekars is morning haze. The IMD scientist clarified that this haze is caused by suspended particles like dust and pollutants when morning temperatures drop and the atmosphere is stable. It is typically a transient condition and does not persist throughout the day.
In summary, Pune is set for a continuation of crisp mornings and sunny, warm days for at least the next two days, as per the IMD's forecast, with residents advised to brace for the early morning chill.
