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Pune experiences record-breaking cold spell this winter, minimum temperature still below 10°C

The last time Pune mornings were this cold for so long was in 2013, when the city experienced minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius for 16 days.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Dec 26, 2025 07:14 PM IST

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the minimum temperature in Pune is likely to remain around 10 degrees C for the next few days, before rising by degrees. (Express Photo)

Pune woke up to yet another day of a record-breaking cold morning a day after Christmas as the Shivajinagar station recorded a minimum temperature of 9.9 degree Celsius on Friday, marking the 18th consecutive day of the minimum temperature being below the 10 degrees Celsius-mark in Pune.

Pune is also shivering through its coldest days of the season. The day-time temperature has been hovering around 27.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded this season, since December 24.

The last time Pune mornings were this cold for so long was in 2013, when the city experienced minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius for 16 days. In 2018, the mercury stayed in the single digits for eight straight days.

The reason for the present spell are the northerly winds bringing cold into the region. The low humidity in the atmosphere and the clear, cloudless sky, which allow the day’s heat to escape rapidly and cool the Earth’s surface, are the other factors contributing to the present dip.

A dancing mercury

Though the winter chill had started setting in from November itself – when the minimum temperature had dropped sharply from 14.4 degrees Celsius on Nov 29 to 9.8 degrees Celssius on Nov 30 – the first week of December saw a dancing mercury every morning.

It crossed 11 degrees Celsius on December 2 and 3, went up to 12.9 degrees Celsius within 24 hours and kept on soaring to reach a relatively warm 14.9 degrees Celsius on December 5 and 14.1 degrees Celsius on December 6. On December 7, the temperature dropped to 12.9 degrees Celsius.

December 8 was the last time this winter that Pune felt not quite so cold, when the Shivajinagar station recorded 11.3 degrees Celsius and the Pashan station 11 degrees Celsius. The very next day, the morning temperature plunged to 8.9 degree Celsius in Shivajinagar and 8.4 degrees Celsius in Pashan.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the minimum temperature is likely to remain around 10 degrees Celsius for the next few days. According to the forecast released by IMD, the minimum temperature will be around 12 degrees Celsius on New Year’s Eve. The sky is expected to remain clear, causing the sun’s rays to heat the Earth’s surface, and raise the daytime temperature marginally. The IMD says that the maximum temperature is likely to rise to 29 degrees Celsius on December 31. January 1, 2026 is likely to be warmer with the maximum temperature to rise by a notch.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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