Monsoon Arrives Ahead of Time, But Pune Still Awaits the Downpour
Monsoon Arrives Ahead of Time, But Pune Still Awaits the Downpour
In an unusual turn, the southwest monsoon entered Maharashtra on May 25—nearly two weeks ahead of its expected arrival. Residents of Pune even experienced pre-monsoon rains followed by early monsoon showers during the last week of May. However, despite the monsoon technically being here, the real action—the heavy, soaking rain—hasn’t yet started.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), although monsoon winds have reached Maharashtra, the crucial supporting elements such as an active low-pressure system and conducive atmospheric conditions haven’t developed yet. This means the state, including Pune, will have to hold out a little longer for widespread and intense rainfall.
So far, the first week of June brought light showers to the city. But over the past two to three days, the rain clouds seem to have moved on, leading to a slight rise in temperature. On June 9, Pune recorded a daytime high of 32°C and a low of 23.8°C. The weather has been swinging between overcast skies in the morning and bright, sunny afternoons—causing fluctuating conditions and a noticeable increase in humidity.
Dr. S. D. Sanap, Scientist ‘D’ at IMD Pune, explained, “Right now, the strength of monsoon winds has weakened, and no low-pressure area is currently active. But there is a good chance the monsoon will pick up momentum again around June 13 or 14.”
Until then, Pune residents can expect partly cloudy skies and occasional bursts of light rain, possibly with thunder and lightning. The IMD has issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ for Pune district, cautioning locals about this unstable weather pattern.
Over the next two days—Tuesday (June 10) and Wednesday (June 11)—daytime temperatures are expected to climb slightly, touching around 33°C, while the nighttime low will likely stay close to 24°C. There remains a fair chance of isolated rain and thunderstorms during this period.
Starting Thursday (June 12), a dip in temperatures is expected, with daytime highs hovering around 30°C through the weekend. The sky will likely remain partly cloudy during the day and turn more overcast in the afternoon and evening hours. Light rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, may continue intermittently during this phase.
