Mumbai, 10th December 2024: The city has experienced significant temperature variations since the start of December, with temperatures rising by five degrees Celsius early on Tuesday morning, following its coldest December day in nine years. The Santacruz observatory recorded a low of 13.7 degrees Celsius on Monday, which was 5.1 degrees below the usual temperature. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature at 5:30 am on Tuesday was 18 degrees Celsius, while Colaba registered a slightly higher 20.8 degrees Celsius. Despite the rise, both stations reported temperatures close to the normal range.

IMD officials have indicated that the cold spell is expected to be short-lived. “Temperatures will remain low until Tuesday, but we expect a gradual increase afterward,” said Sushma Nair, an IMD scientist in Mumbai. “The cooler temperatures are due to northerly winds, but a low-pressure system is forming, which will bring easterly winds, raising the temperature. The minimum is likely to reach 19 to 21 degrees Celsius, though we will continue to monitor the situation.”

Nair also explained that the extreme heat earlier in the week—when the city recorded its highest December temperature in 13 years at 37.3 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.5 degrees Celsius—was caused by the combined influence of Cyclone Fengal and easterly winds, which significantly increased temperatures.