The airport observatory of Mumbai, Santacruz recorded day temperature in excess of 35°C for the 2nd successive day, yesterday. The minimum temperature in the morning also remained around 20°C, about 3°C above the normal. While the minimum temperature has consistently remained above normal for the last week, the mercury shot up, breaching the 36°C mark on 03rd Feb. The day temperature has been consistently rupturing the 30°C mark, near normal for the month and remained about 5°C above the average for the last 2 days. With such a range of temperatures and high humidity of the coastal belt, the seasonal warmth has exceeded the threshold limits, quite often.
Mumbai has recorded such high temperatures in the past as well. Last year, Santacruz recorded the highest of 37.9°C and also exceeded the 36°C mark on 4 days in February. The base observatory has earlier touched 38.8°C in 2015 and 2017. The highest of 39.1°C was recorded on 22 Feb 2012. An all-time high of 39.6°C has been on record for 25 Feb 1966. During the last week, the minimum temperature has remained in excess of the normal value and the maximum temperature has been waxing and waning, covering a range of 4-6°C. The financial capital has been under a wrap of warmth for most days in January and continues to be so in February, as well.
After the passage of a wet spell from the northern plains, the wind pattern will undergo a change. The western disturbance, which caused extensive snow across the mountains will also vacate the area by tomorrow. Only residual effect will be there in the higher reaches. General improvement in the weather conditions is expected anytime soon. However, in the wake of the system, invariably a blast of cold winds sweeps the plains down the slopes of mountains. Chilling effect cascades right down the plains penetrating up to South Rajasthan, North Gujarat and North Madhya Maharashtra & Konkan.
The coastal temperatures, including Mumbai, are likely to take a dip over the next few days. Mercury level is expected to slide back to normal at around 32°C. However, sometime around the weekend, a cyclonic circulation/ trough is likely to appear over North Maharashtra and North Gujarat. This feature will restrict the cold winds reaching right up to Mumbai. Accordingly, further falls in temperature will get arrested. Rather, a rise in the day temperature will be likely once again, during the next week.