Mumbai Records Season’s Coldest Day at 18.9°C, Anticipates Two More Chilly Days
Mumbai Records Season's Coldest Day at 18.9°C, Anticipates Two More Chilly Days
Mumbai registered its chilliest day this season as temperatures plunged to 18.9°C, just one degree above the usual minimum. The city experienced a noteworthy diurnal temperature swing, attributed to easterly winds and a scarcity of clouds. Minimum temperatures are anticipated to persist at these levels for the next two days before a slight uptick. Mumbai’s air quality showed a modest improvement on Sunday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 166, classified as moderate due to PM2.5 and O3 particles. However, areas like Bandra Kurla Complex and Malad West still reported poor air quality.
On Sunday, Mumbai residents awoke to the season’s lowest temperatures, marked by a minimum of 18.9 degrees Celsius, just a notch above the norm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a maximum temperature of approximately 35.5 degrees, exceeding the average by three degrees.
Comparatively, the same date last year recorded a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius, while January 16, 2023, marked the coldest day of the previous winter season, with temperatures dropping to 13.8°C. Mumbai’s all-time coldest day occurred on January 22, 1962, when the mercury plummeted to 7.4 degrees Celsius.
IMD Mumbai, attributed the notable temperature fluctuation, known as the diurnal range, to prevailing easterly winds. Because dry easterly winds are flowing at lower levels, the temperature does not drop significantly. Additionally, the relatively cloud-free conditions result in high daytime temperatures and pleasant nights.
The forecast indicates that these cooler temperatures will persist for the next two days, with a gradual rise to a minimum of 20 to 21 degrees Celsius. The unusual warmth aligns with the IMD’s long-range forecast for the month, as similar temperature-dropping factors are absent in other parts of the country.
Anticipating potentially lower temperatures in the first week of January, Mumbai’s air quality showed a welcome improvement on Sunday. The AQI, which was 189 on Friday and 190 on Saturday, measured 166, categorized as moderate due to PM2.5 and O3 particles. However, Bandra Kurla Complex and Malad West still reported poor air quality, with AQI readings of 233 and 260, respectively, primarily due to elevated PM2.5 levels. The BMC station at Govandi displayed a reading of 242, reflecting an improvement from the very poor air quality observed on Saturday.
