Mumbai: 'Temperature could soar to 40 in parts of Maharashtra in March'

A woman shields her face from the sun at Juhu beach on Sunday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Mumbai, Thane and other parts of Maharashtra are likely to experience summer-like scorching temperatures for the next few days, according to meteorologists. An India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said, "This is the transition period from winter to summer. There may be numerous temperature increases during this time."

The official added, "The highest February temperatures have been in the past decade. I believe the second fortnight of February frequently records temperatures as high as 38 and 39 degrees Celsius, respectively." The city, on Monday, recorded this season's hottest day, which was 6.2 degrees Celsius above average.

The suburb's Santacruz weather station recorded daytime or maximum temperature at 37.3 degrees Celsius while the Colaba station recorded a maximum temperature of 37.1 degrees Celsius - 7.1 degrees Celsius above normal. Warm winds from the eastern and southeastern parts of the country are prevailing over the city and the lack of sea breeze during the daytime has been keeping temperatures above the 35 degrees Celsius mark.

A youth attempts to beat the heat at the Gateway of India on February 3. File Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Due to the prevailing strong southeasterly winds from the land region and low humidity values, temperatures are expected to rise. Explaining the phenomenon in detail, Rajesh Kapadia of Vagaries of the Weather, the popular private weather blog, said, the typical dry summer-like heat, which is witnessed in Mumbai and Konkan during late February/early March, is being witnessed now.

Kapadia said, "Currently, the weather feels like that which we experience in March in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra. It is almost 15 days early though. This is because of the presence of La Nina, a weather pattern that brings warmer-than-normal sea-surface temperatures."

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He added, "Because of the presence of east winds, which prevent sea breeze from coming in, the temperature is rising. Sea breeze cools down Mumbai and adjoining areas. However, once the east wind stops in the evening, the weather gets cooler. Hence one can see the gap in daytime and nighttime temperatures. While Colaba and Santacruz recorded maximum temperatures of 37.1 and 37.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, the minimum temperature on Tuesday morning was a pleasant 21.2 and 19 degrees Celsius in Colaba and Santacruz. The comfort level was not bad as the humidity was relatively lesser, but there was dry or scorching heat." As per the Vagaries of the Weather, not only Mumbai and Maharashtra are witnessing high temperatures but also central and northern India.

All-time highs

On February 17, 2020, Santacruz observatory recorded a temperature of 38.1 degrees Celsius. On February 23, 2015, the city recorded a temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius. The highest of the decade, however, was recorded on February 22, 2012, at 39.1 degrees Celsius and the all-time high - a blazing 39.6 degrees Celsius - was recorded on February 25, 1966.

Maharashtra faces heat

Temperatures have been rising sharply over many parts of Maharashtra and things are heating up, predict meteorologists. "The rise in the mercury level is more conspicuous over the eastern half of the state, spanning Vidarbha and Marathwada. The entire state is confronting a double whammy of dismal rains and mounting heat during the ongoing season. The fear is that the damaging combination of soaring heat and dwindling moisture may impact the wheat crop adversely. Blame it on climate change, the entire state may have two-fold setbacks on account of agricultural and hydrological scarcity," said a meteorologist from Skymet Weather, a private forecasting agency.

"Heat potential is likely to build up in the coming days. The month of March is expected to see dry days with the surface temperature soaring and nearing 40 degrees or even beyond. Day temperature has already exceeded 35-36 degrees at many places, albeit for a few days. Akola, Washim, Nagpur, Wardha, Parbhani, Jeur, Nanded and Solapur have touched their mid and high-30s in the past week. Heat stress is likely to build up further and may not augur well for the wheat crop across the state," Skymet Weather has predicted on its blog.

35.5 °C
Maximum temperature recorded in S'cruz on Tuesday