Mumbai temperature soars again to 37.4 degrees; hot spell to continue

Data from the IMD showed that while the Santacruz observatory registered a maximum temperature of 37.4 degrees, the coastal observatory in Colaba logged a high temperature of 33.3 degrees, which is over two degrees above the normal.

Meanwhile, the nights remained cooler with the minimum temperature dipping 0.2 degrees below the normal to 19 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning.

Weather experts have attributed the warmer temperatures to the influx of dry and warm northerly winds. Rajesh Kapadia from Vagaries of Weather told The Indian Express, “Owing to the absence of western disturbances, the northerly winds which the city is currently receiving are warm and dry. These northerly winds have also prevented the sea breeze from setting in, resulting in the spike of temperatures in the region.”

In its forecast bulletin for the city, the IMD has said Mumbai will continue to swelter under above normal temperatures between 36 —37 degrees until March 8 (Saturday) at least, following which the day time temperatures will record further spike.

According to the forecasters, the maximum temperature will hover over 38 degrees Celsius.

The above normal temperatures in March have come along the heels of a warm February when the maximum temperatures jumped to an eight-year high of 38.7 degrees.

With the metropolis reeling under at least three consecutive days of over 38 degrees Celsius, the IMD had announced a heatwave in the city between February 25 and 27.

The city’s warmest March day ever was recorded in 41.7 degrees Celsius in 1956, while its coldest day of the month was  observed in 2012 when the minimum temperature was 12.7 degrees Celsius.