2 min readMumbaiUpdated: Nov 19, 2025 11:55 AM IST
In its forecast bulletin, the weather bureau has indicated that minimum temperatures are slated to soar over 20 degrees again in the coming days. (file)
Mumbai woke up to its coldest November day in at least a decade, as minimum temperatures dipped to 16.2 degrees Celsius, at least 5 degrees below normal, at the Santacruz observatory Wednesday morning.
Even as Santacruz saw a significant drop, the Colaba coastal observatory recorded 21.6 degrees Celsius on the mercury scale.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), minimum temperatures are likely to increase in the coming days.
Mumbai has been in the midst of an early cold spell this November, with the minimum temperatures dipping below 20 degree, in a first for the season, on November 9. Since then, minimum temperatures have gradually dipped below normal levels.
Records accessed by The Indian Express show that this is the coldest November day in at least one decade. In the past 10 years, till 2014, the lowest minimum in November was recorded in 2016, when temperatures reached 16.3 degrees on November 11.
Besides this, the only time minimum temperatures hovered at 16 degree Celsius in the past decade was in 2024, when it dipped to 16.5 degrees. The all-time lowest minimum temperature for November was recorded in 1950, when it reached 13.3 degrees.
IMD Mumbai meteorologists have attributed the ongoing cold spell to the influx of cold Northerly and North Easterly winds across the Central and Peninsular parts of the country. However, scientists said winter has yet to begin, with IMD officially recognising only January and February as winter months.
Story continues below this ad
In its forecast bulletin, the weather bureau has indicated that minimum temperatures are slated to soar over 20 degrees again in the coming days.
The record-breaking temperature on Wednesday came after the city recorded its coldest daytime temperatures for November in a decade earlier this month, when maximum temperatures reached 27 degrees on November 2.
However, unlike the current cold wave, the previous dip in temperature was spurred by the unseasonal showers that swept the region in the first week of November.
Nayonika Bose is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents.
Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T)
Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area.
Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including:
Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft).
Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout).
Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks.
Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration.
Tweets @nayonikakb ... Read More
