Why Pune has been experiencing slight chill despite no significant drop in minimum temperature

Pune’s minimum temperature has ranged from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, but it feels much colder.

Pune’s minimum temperature has ranged from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, but it feels much colder. Medha Khole, head of weather forecasting at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said this is mostly because of the vast difference between the day and night temperatures. (File image)

Pune has recently felt a slight chill in the air, particularly during the mornings and late nights. Although the minimum temperature has not significantly dropped, this chill is largely attributed to the wide variation between daytime and nighttime temperatures and the local cooling conditions experienced in Pune.

The maximum temperature during the day can reach 30 degrees Celsius. However, it drops significantly after sunset. Unlike the onset of the monsoon, no specific parameters determine the arrival of winter. In Pune, the winter chill sets in for two main reasons: cold winds from the north and local cooling.

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Khole noted that the recent rapid drop in nighttime temperatures is primarily due to the cooling of the surface. The presence of cloudless skies contributes to this surface cooling. Additionally, shorter days play a significant role, as the sun sets around 6 pm, leading to a more substantial drop in nighttime temperatures. Furthermore, the lack of moisture in the air has intensified the chill.

In the northern part of the country, winter chills arrive when cold winds from other continents move in. Additionally, western disturbances, which are moisture-laden cold winds, bring rain and snowfall to this region, further contributing to the chill. The arrival of these winds can lead to a significant drop in temperature.

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Pune weather