Mumbai experienced its hottest December day in 16 years on Wednesday, with temperatures soaring to 37.3°C, as recorded by the Santacruz observatory, which monitors the city’s suburbs. The Colaba weather station, representing the island city, logged a slightly lower temperature of 35°C. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this marks the highest December temperature in the city since 2008, when the Kalina observatory recorded 37.7°C on December 5 of that year.
The temperature spike comes as a surprising contrast to the cooler conditions Mumbai saw just last week. On November 29, the city recorded its lowest minimum temperature in eight years, dropping to 16.5°C. However, the city’s weather took a turn on Wednesday morning, with light rains and cloudy skies over Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra, offering a temporary respite from the heat. The minimum temperature in Colaba was 25.8°C, while Santacruz saw 25.5°C.
The rains, which brought a slight dip in temperatures, were attributed to moisture incursion caused by Cyclone Fengal, according to the IMD. Despite the rain, the city’s residents continue to experience unusual warmth for this time of year, raising concerns about shifting weather patterns.
As December progresses, Mumbaikars are bracing for more temperature fluctuations, with forecasts suggesting more cloudy skies and occasional showers in the coming days. However, the record-breaking heat on Wednesday has left many questioning the future course of the city’s climate.
Sources By Agencies
