Residents of Pune woke up to a distinct winter nip on Friday morning as the city's minimum temperature dropped significantly, marking a noticeable shift towards colder days. The India Meteorology Department (IMD) has confirmed this cooling trend, which is expected to persist over the next couple of days.
Mercury Plummets Across Pune and Interior Maharashtra
The scientific observatory in Pashan recorded a chilly 7.7 degrees Celsius, while the Shivajinagar station noted a minimum of 8.3°C. This represents a clear drop from the previous day's readings, which hovered around 10°C at both locations. The cold wave was not confined to the city limits.
Several towns in the interior regions of Maharashtra also experienced a sharp dip in nighttime temperatures. Areas including Ambegaon, Talegaon, Daund, Malin, and Baramati saw the mercury fall below the 10-degree mark on Friday morning. Despite the sudden chill, IMD officials clarified that these temperatures are within the normal statistical range observed over the past three decades.
IMD Scientist Explains the Cause and Forecast
SD Sanap, a scientist with the IMD, attributed the temperature drop to cold and dry winds blowing in from the northern parts of the country. "The reason for the drop is mainly the cold and dry winds from the north that are intruding into our region," Sanap stated.
Providing a short-term forecast, he added, "The situation is likely to be similar for the next 48 hours, meaning the minimum temperature will remain around 10°C. After that, we expect a slight rise by one or two degrees Celsius."
Clear Skies Lead to Warm Days and Cold Nights
While mornings and nights turned colder, daytime brought unseasonable warmth, with maximum temperatures reaching around 30°C in the city and even touching 31-32°C in some pockets. Sanap explained this contrast is a direct result of the prevailing clear sky conditions.
"If there are clouds, the sunlight does not reach the earth's surface with high intensity. Currently, we are getting a lot of sunlight, pushing daytime temperatures up," he said. The absence of cloud cover allows solar radiation to heat the surface rapidly during the day but also permits heat to escape quickly after sunset, leading to a swift drop in nighttime temperatures. The IMD expects the skies to remain clear in the coming days.
Winter Haze: A Common Morning Phenomenon
Many Punekars have also observed a noticeable haze during the early morning hours. The IMD has identified this as a typical winter occurrence. Sanap clarified that stable atmospheric conditions combined with lower morning temperatures cause dust and pollutant particles to remain suspended, creating a visible haze for a limited period after sunrise. This haze typically dissipates as the day progresses and is not present throughout the daylight hours.
The current weather pattern presents a classic Pune winter scenario—crisp, cold mornings giving way to pleasantly warm afternoons, all under a bright, clear sky, with residents advised to brace for similar conditions over the weekend.
