Warmer days, colder nights: Mumbai blows hot and cold

Even as winter draws to a close, the city witnessed fluctuations in temperature on Friday as maximum temperatures rose and minimum temperatures dropped below normal.

Even as winter draws to a close, the city witnessed fluctuations in temperature on Friday as maximum temperatures rose and minimum temperatures dropped below normal.

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In the last three to four days, night temperatures had gradually climbed back to normal. However, on Friday, the minimum temperature in the suburbs fell three degrees below normal at 16.2 degrees Celsius. At Colaba, it fell to 20.7 degrees Celsius.

In the last 24 hours, the maximum temperature at Santacruz rose from 29.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday to 33.8 degree Celsius on Friday while at Colaba, it increased from 27.8 degrees Celsius to 30.2 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), although the winter is yet to end officially, the weather will gradually become warmer in the coming days.

“In meteorological terms, February 28 signals the end of winter. But that does not necessarily mean an immediate end to cold winds. Since the western disturbance has moved east, cold north easterly winds are blowing in the city,” said VK Rajeev, director, IMD, western region.

A western disturbance is an extra tropical storm that originates in the Mediterranean region and moves eastward resulting in sudden rain and snowfall in parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

“The western disturbance effect coupled with the fading winter has made days warmer and dry and the nights cooler in the city. We expect the minimum temperature to rise gradually,” said Rajeev.

The IMD predicted that on Saturday, the minimum temperature would be 17 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature would be 36 degrees Celsius.