City braces for rise in mercury, relief expected from Thursday

Nagpur: The city is set to experience a brief spell of warmer weather as maximum temperatures are expected to rise over the next two days, touching 36 degrees Celsius — several degrees above normal. Relief is likely from February 13, when the mercury is expected to dip below 35 degrees as northerly winds regain dominance.
Meteorologists have attributed the temporary increase in temperature to an anti-cyclonic circulation over Central India and south-easterly winds carrying warm, moisture-laden air. Officials have clarified that while temperatures will return to a more comfortable range, no significant cold spell is anticipated.
Speaking to TOI, Praveen Kumar, forecasting in-charge at the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), India Meteorological Department (IMD), said lower temperatures will persist for three to four days once the current conditions shift.
"The region was not impacted by western disturbances. Rainfall is expected to be below normal for the month. Both minimum and maximum temperatures will likely remain normal to above normal for rest of February," he said.
Kumar said warm south-easterly winds are driving the temperature rise. The fluctuating temperatures have been leading to an increase in viral infections among residents.