Whims of weather: Mumbai goes from being hot to cold, to hot again

MUMBAI: Minimum temperatures in Mumbai, which dipped to below 20 degree Celsius barely a week ago, soared to 26.5 degrees on Wednesday. As per IMD records, this was only the second time in a decade that the city recorded such high minimum temperature for November. The last time minimum temperature scaled this high for the month was in the year 2018, when it touched 27.4 degrees.
Wednesday’s minimum temperature recorded by the IMD Santacruz observatory was 5.5 degrees above normal. The IMD Colaba observatory recorded a minimum temperatures of 26 degrees which was 3.3 degrees above normal. Apart from the high minimum temperatures, the high humidity levels also added to the discomfort. The relative humidity recorded by the IMD Colaba and Santacruz observatory was 92% and 85%, respectively. This was higher as compared to a day ago when the IMD Colaba and Santacruz observatory recorded humidity of 84% and 65%, respectively.
While the rest of the day continued to stay overcast, by evening a slight drizzle was recorded in most parts of the city such as Dadar, Goregaon, Ghatkopar, Andheri, Lower Parel and Malad. Citizens said the unseasonal rains took them by surprise. In the 12 hours ending 8.30pm on Wednesday, IMD Colaba observatory recorded 3mm rain, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 1.2mm. The highest 24-hour rain recorded in the month of November was 46.3mm in the year 2019. “Despite November rain, the weather is hot and uncomfortable. Hoping to get some relief from the sultry weather,” said a resident.
As per IMD forecast, light rain and thundershower activity will continue till Thursday, but the weekend is likely to see dry weather conditions again. IMD said the drizzle was due to a low pressure area over east central Arabian sea off Goa and Karnataka coast. Meanwhile, the maximum temperatures recorded by the IMD Colaba and Santacruz observatory was 31.5 degree and 34.5 degree Celsius, respectively.