IMD forecasts warmer week, cooler January for Pune

PUNE: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday forecast that the city and its neighbouring areas are likely to experience warmer day and night conditions. It is also expected that these conditions will last till the end of the year.
IMD officials said that the minimum temperatures over Pune are likely to hover between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius till Friday. Thereafter, cold conditions could make a comeback.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in Nashik on Sunday dipped to 9.8 degrees Celsius - down from 10.3°C on Saturday. The temperature recorded was six units below normal. IMD said the minimum temperature in Nashik is likely to be around 10°C for the next few days.
On Sunday, Shivajinagar recorded 12.2°C and at Lohegaon, it was 14.4°C - both temperatures were above normal by 1.2°C and 2.4°C, respectively. Shivajinagar observatory covers core areas of the city. The weather conditions in December this year in this area have been warmer than the average temperature usually found this month, by over 2°C. Moreover, the day temperatures of the city have also remained over 30°C.
"Typical chilling conditions of winter had been missing this month. This weather condition is expected to change next month," said a senior IMD official, adding, "A moisture incursion is taking place over the state due to conditions in the Southern peninsula region. It has affected South Central parts of the state, which includes Pune district. As a result, the city has recorded above-normal day and night temperatures."
The met department has predicted sunny day conditions this week. From December 26-28, the sky may become partly cloudy towards the afternoon/ evening hours.
The Vidarbha and Marathwada regions have reported warmer-than-usual nights. The night temperatures here were between 15°C and 17°C on Sunday. However, Mumbai and Ratnagiri recorded a fall in minimum temperatures by over 2°C each, to record 15°C and 17°C, respectively, on the same day.
The north Konkan and north Madhya Maharashtra regions adjoining Kutch-Saurashtra could experience a fall in night temperatures, as these regions of Gujarat are currently reeling under cold wave conditions. This situation is likely to continue till Wednesday, said met officials.