At 38.7 degrees, Mumbai records hottest February day since 2017

The weather bureau has advised citizens to remain hydrated during the next few days and to avoid staying outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm without wearing a mask

2 min readMumbaiFeb 26, 2025 12:23 AM IST

Currently, a yellow warning has been issued for hot and humid weather conditions in the neighbouring districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. (Express Photo)

Mumbai on Tuesday recorded a maximum day temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest February day in eight years.
The India Meteorology Department (IMD) had on Monday issued a yellow alert of heatwave warning for Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri and Raigad districts between Tuesday and Wednesday. Weather experts have maintained that the temperature may record further rise on Wednesday.

IMD’s Santacruz observatory on Tuesday recorded day temperature of 38. 7 degrees, which was 5.9 degrees above the normal level.
Meanwhile, the coastal observatory at Colaba recorded a day temperature of 34.6 degrees, which was 3.6 degrees above normal.
Prior to this, hottest February day recorded during the last ten years were at 38.8 degrees Celsius on February 19, 2017 and February 23, 2015.

“At present there is an intervention of easterly winds which is delaying the sea-breeze. The sea breeze usually sets in by 10-11 am but due to the easterly winds the setting is delayed by a couple of hours, which results in a rise in temperature during the day,” Sushma Nair scientist from IMD, Mumbai told The Indian Express.

During the peak summer season last year, the IMD had issued a heatwave warning for Mumbai and its adjoining districts multiple times between March and April.

Nair said that March is a transition period which leads to the presence of dry winds in the atmosphere that lead to heatwave-like situations.

“Over the past ten years we have recorded day temperatures on the higher side during February. While a heatwave-like situation has not risen before, this is not totally unprecedented,” Nair added.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau has advised citizens to remain hydrated during the next few days and to avoid staying outdoors between 11 am and 4 pm without wearing a mask.

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“The temperature will stay above normal for the next few days and maybe after three-four days, there will be a slight drop. However, it’s not going to bring in much respite for people,” Nair added.

Pratip Acharya

Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai. Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in: Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting. City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region. Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis: National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019. Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis. Experience Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies: Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014). Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express. Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More

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