Mumbai: Even before the official onset of summer in the city, mercury continued to climb for the second consecutive day as maximum temperatures touched 38.7° C, making Tuesday the hottest Feb day in five years and the third hottest in a decade. The city’s highest recorded maximum temperature in the month of Feb was 39.6° C in 1966.
For Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintained a heatwave warning for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad. For Thursday, it issued a warning for very likely hot and humid conditions in isolated pockets. The IMD declares a heatwave when maximum temperatures cross 37°C, and the departure is 4.5° above normal.
At 38.7°C, the IMD Santacruz observatory’s day temperature on Tuesday was 5.9° above normal and slightly higher than Monday’s 38.4°C, while in the case of IMD Colaba observatory, which recorded 34.6°C, it was 3.6° above normal, but surprisingly lower than the previous day’s 36.8°C .
Echoing most Mumbaikars’ sentiments, Marine Drive resident Mahendra Hemdev said he now carries a cap, sunglasses and a water bottle when he steps out. “Such weather is generally not expected in the month of Feb. Now, I am worried about what will happen in May when the heat is at an all-time high,” he added.
The IMD attributed the heatwave conditions to a delayed sea breeze, strong easterly winds, and a mid-level anticyclone, which prevented air from rising. “Heatwave warning has been issued for Wednesday as well, and day temperatures would be around 37-39°C. We appeal to the public to avoid sun exposure for a prolonged period,” said Sushma Nair, a scientist at IMD Mumbai.
Rajesh Kapadia, who runs the private weather forecasting blog Vagaries of the Weather, pointed out the stark contrast between day and night temperatures. On Tuesday, the IMD’s Colaba and Santacruz observatories recorded minimum temperatures of 23.4°C and 20.9°C, respectively.
“The city is currently experiencing dry heat, and temperatures may not necessarily rise further as summer sets in. While daytime temperatures are high, humidity levels remain comparatively lower, which is why we aren’t perspiring as much as we do during peak summer. In summer, even at 33-34°C, high humidity makes it feel like 38-39°C,” Kapadia explained. On Tuesday, the IMD recorded humidity levels of 54% at Colaba and 32% at Santacruz.
Kapadia predicted that some relief from the heat could be expected into the weekend.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said outdoor shoots in the city can get very uncomfortable in such weather conditions. “The energy levels also get hit, and one isn’t inclined to work when the heat continues to persist for days together like now,” he added.