In sharp contrast to last week’s scorching heat, Mumbai woke up to a pronounced chill on Tuesday as minimum temperatures plunged nearly two degrees below normal. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed the Santacruz observatory recorded a minimum of 15.2 degrees C (1.8 degrees below normal), while the Colaba observatory registered 18.6 degrees C. Maximum temperatures also saw a significant dip, prompting meteorologists to predict that cold conditions will persist for the next two to three days.

According to the IMD and private meteorologists, the ongoing cool spell will last until at least Thursday, before making way for another spike in both minimum and maximum temperatures. “These prevailing conditions will continue until January 10, with the temperature hovering between 14 to 15 degrees on January 8 and 9,” said climatologist Rajesh Kapadia from the private weather blog Vagaries of the Weather.