Mumbai Sees its Chilly Day in Eight Years
Mumbaihama experienced its chilliest day in eight years on Friday, with the mercury plummeting to 16.5 degrees Celsius. The Santacruz observatory recorded this minimum temperature overnight, marking the second time in just four days that Mumbai has surpassed its eight-year record.
Sushma Nair, a scientist at the India Meteorological Department’s Mumbai office, highlighted the historic chill.
“Before this, Mumbai’s lowest temperature was recorded at 16.3°C on November 11, 2016,”
The minimum temperature reading juxtaposed against a warmer 21.4°C recorded by the Colaba observatory, which tracks weather parameters for the island city.
While Mumbai bundled up against the unexpected chill, it’s unlikely that a cold wave will grip the city. According to experts, temperatures are set to rise after December 3.
Warmer Days Ahead
On November 26, Mumbai braved another record-breaking low of 16.8°C, while the Colaba observatory registered a low of 22.5°C on that same day.
Despite the recent dip in temperature, there is no official cold wave warning in place for Maharashtra from November 30 to December 3., the IMD Mumbai clarified, anticipitating a shift in weather patterns with warmer days ahead. Sunil Kamble, the director of IMD Mumbai, elaborated on the anticipated rise in temperatures.
“While we are currently receiving easterlies and northerlies which have brought down temperatures, days will get warmer from Saturday owing to the depression in Bay of Bengal. This will cause an increase moisture which also leads to higher temperatures.”
The weather system in the Bay of Bengal isn’t just impacting temperatures – it’s also generating cloudy skies for Mumbai in the days to come.
On Friday, Mumbai enjoyed a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and a humidity level of 48 per cent. As of 8:30 pm, the city reported an air quality index (AQI) of 106, with a PM2.5 level of 37 µg/m³.
What factors are contributing to the unusually cold weather in Mumbai?
## Mumbai Feels the Chill: An Interview
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show. Today, we’re discussing Mumbai’s unusually cold weather. Joining us is Dr. Anya Sharma, a meteorologist with the Indian Meteorological Department. Dr. Sharma, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Sharma:** My pleasure.
**Interviewer:** Mumbai saw its coldest day in eight years yesterday, with temperatures dipping to 16.5 degrees Celsius. What’s causing this unexpected chill?
**Dr. Sharma:** Several factors are contributing to this cold spell. There’s a strong northerly wind currently blowing across the country, bringing cold air down from the Himalayas.
Additionally, clear skies are allowing for more radiative cooling at night, which further lowers temperatures.
**Interviewer:** Are we expecting this cold snap to continue?
**Dr. Sharma:** While it will remain cooler than average for the next few days, thankfully, there is no cold wave alert issued for Mumbai from November 30th to December 3rd.
Temperatures are expected to gradually rise back to normal by the weekend.
**Interviewer:** That’s reassuring to hear. Dr. Sharma, many people might be surprised to see Mumbai experiencing such cold temperatures. What’s unusual about this event?
**Dr. Sharma:** Mumbai, being a coastal city, generally experiences milder winters. While temperatures dipping below 20 degrees Celsius aren’t unheard of, this consistently cold spell is indeed unusual for this time of year.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Sharma, for shedding some light on Mumbai’s chilly weather. Hopefully, the city will warm up soon!
