For the third consecutive day, IMD’s Santacruz observatory on Sunday recorded a maximum temperature above 37°C, exceeding Feb’s average of 31.3°C. While mercury at the Santacruz station hit 37.2°C, the Colaba observatory recorded 35°C; the minimum temperatures were 21°C and 22.5°C, respectively. IMD predicted hot and humid conditions across MMR on Monday, with day temperature around 37°C and night around 22°C. Experts said while dry heat typically sets in after mid-Feb, it usually lasts for shorter intervals rather than the prolonged heat observed in recent years. “The heat itself isn’t unusual, but its frequency has increased. A seasonal anti-cyclone over north Arabian Sea is driving in hot easterly winds and delaying the sea breeze. But with western disturbances expected to hit north India in Feb last week, the anti-cyclone will dissipate, shifting winds to a cooler north-northwesterly direction,” said independent forecaster Athreya Shetty. Weather enthusiast Abhijit Modak echoed this. “It isn’t uncommon for Mumbai to see 38-39°C in late Feb as it marks the transition from winter to summer. The 35°C-plus trend may persist, possibly reaching 38°C on Feb 25-26.” —Richa Pinto