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Why is Pune waking up to warm mornings? Winter takes a break as IMD forecasts 16°C on Republic Day

According to IMD, morning temperatures in Pune are expected to rise even higher starting January 23. The forecast for Republic Day indicates a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius.

3 min readJan 21, 2026 02:55 PM IST

The mornings in Pune have turned warmer. On January 21, Shivajinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 13.3 degree Celsius. (Express file photo)

Dipanita Nath

Pune, January 21

Pune has seen significantly fewer winter woollens in circulation this week, as the mornings have turned warm and sunny. After reaching a low of 14.2 degrees Celsius on January 15, the morning temperatures at the Shivajinagar station have stabilized around 13 degrees for the past week. On January 21, Shivajinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 13.3 degrees Celsius, nearly identical to the previous day.

On Wednesday morning, Pashan recorded a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, while Magarpatta experienced an even warmer start, with the mercury rising to 18.1 degrees Celsius. Koregaon Park, Wadgaonsheri, and Chinchwad reported similar temperatures.

With daytime highs hovering around 30 degrees Celsius for a week, one might wonder if this signals the end of winter. Notably, Basant Panchami, the spring festival, is also around the corner.

According to the bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), morning temperatures in Pune are expected to rise even higher starting January 23. The forecast for Republic Day indicates a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. The last time the minimum temperature had touched this level was on January 14, when the reading at Shivajinagar was 16.3 degree Celsius.

S D Sanap, scientist at IMD Pune, said, “In the last few days, we have seen that temperatures have risen by one or two degrees in most parts of Maharashtra. The reason is the weakening of the northerly cold and dry wind. Now, we are experiencing the south easterly winds that are coming from the Bay of Bengal, carrying moisture over the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka into Maharashtra. In this scenario, we see a little clouding in the atmosphere. When there are more clouds or moisture, the temperatures, especially the minimum temperatures, generally increase.”

Sanap noted that Pune typically experiences cooler weather from December to February. “Although we expect the temperature to dip below 10 degrees Celsius during this period, what we get are variations. There are spells of cold, mild cold, or a rise in temperature in between,” he said.

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The highest maximum temperature recorded in Pune during January was 26.6 degrees Celsius on January 3, 2002. The current minimum temperatures align with those observed in recent years. Last year, the minimum temperature on January 22 was around 12 degree Celsius, the year before it was around 11 degrees. In 2024, the minimum temperature was 13.7 on January 21. The daytime temperature was also around 30 degrees during the mid-end of January for more than a decade, according to reports.

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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