Residents across Maharashtra woke up to the coldest morning of the season on Friday, as a significant dip in minimum temperatures gripped several regions of the state. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the mercury fell below normal levels in Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha.
Record Low Temperatures Across Key Cities
In Pune, the Shivajinagar area recorded a minimum temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius, while Pashan was even colder at 7.7°C. Both readings marked the lowest points for the city so far this winter. This December, Pune has already experienced nine days with single-digit minimums, while Nashik has seen ten such days. The morning chill was intensified by high relative humidity, which reached close to 89% in some parts of Pune, creating hazy conditions in the early hours.
The chill was not confined to Pune. In Madhya Maharashtra, Ahilyanagar registered the state's lowest minimum at 7.3°C. It was closely followed by Nashik at 7.4°C and Jalgaon at 7.5°C. These temperatures were between 2 and 3.4 degrees below the normal range for this time of year.
Vidarbha and Marathwada Also Feel the Bite
The cold wave extended to the Vidarbha region, where multiple weather stations reported below-normal night temperatures. Key readings included:
- Amravati: 9.8°C
- Nagpur: 8.5°C
- Gondia: 8.0°C
- Yavatmal: 10.2°C
The departures from normal here ranged from 2 to over 3 degrees. Parts of Marathwada, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nanded (both at 10.8°C), also remained cooler than usual.
Sharp Contrast in Day and Night Temperatures
While nights were frigid in the interior, a sharp contrast was observed in daytime temperatures, especially in Madhya Maharashtra. The Konkan region experienced relatively mild nights but saw daytime temperatures climb significantly. Ratnagiri recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 34.3°C. Mumbai and its suburbs also reported maximum temperatures above 32°C, highlighting the large diurnal variation.
An IMD official provided an outlook, stating, "A gradual rise in maximum temperature is expected over Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada during the next 48 hours, with no large change thereafter." The official added that minimum temperatures over these regions are likely to see no significant change for the next seven days, and Vidarbha will also experience stable conditions with no major fluctuation in both maximum and minimum readings.
Expert Attributes Chill to High-Pressure System
Independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak explained the meteorological reason behind the prolonged cold spell. He attributed it to a persistent high-pressure system, or anticyclone. "With the anticyclone persisting for a prolonged period, a stable winter chill has been maintained," Modak said, noting that Nashik recorded nine consecutive days of single-digit minimums and Pune eight straight days this December.
He further explained that the same weather system is responsible for the large day-night temperature difference over Konkan, pushing daytime highs to 34–35°C despite chilly nights. Modak warned that as the high-pressure area shifts closer to Maharashtra, drier and colder north–northeasterly winds could lead to a further dip in minimum temperatures.
"The lowest temperatures of the season so far are likely this weekend, around December 19–21," he forecasted. He predicted temperatures could plunge to:
- 4–6°C in parts of north Maharashtra and Vidarbha.
- 6–8°C across the Deccan plateau, including Pune and Ahilyanagar.
- 13–15°C along the Konkan coast, including Mumbai.
Residents across the state are advised to brace for a colder weekend as winter tightens its grip on Maharashtra.
