Mumbai residents are set to usher in the New Year with a noticeable chill in the air, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a significant drop in the city's minimum temperature. The mercury is expected to plunge to 16 degrees Celsius on January 1, 2026, marking a crisp start to the year.
A Gradual Dip in Mercury
The cooling trend became evident on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, when the Santacruz observatory recorded a morning temperature of 17.2 degrees Celsius. This followed a day where the maximum temperature also fell below normal levels. On Tuesday, Santacruz reported a high of 30.2°C, which is 1.4 degrees below the seasonal average, while the Colaba station logged 29.8°C.
According to the weather bureau, this cooling phase is set to continue over the next couple of days. The minimum temperature is forecast to dip below 16°C, with the maximum likely hovering around 31°C before a subsequent rise.
Hazy Skies and Reduced Visibility
Alongside the cold, Mumbaikars will experience hazy conditions. Bikram Singh, director of IMD, Mumbai, explained the meteorological reasons behind this shift. "Currently, there is an anticyclonic flow which ushers in cold winds. Furthermore, the winds are also predominantly northerly and northeasterly, which has led to a dip in temperature," Singh told The Indian Express.
He added a note on the visibility concerns: "However, the wind speed is also forecast to be slow and reduced, owing to which there will be haziness in the skies during the day and night. After three to four days, wind speed will increase, and the visibility will also improve subsequently." The IMD's forecast bulletin mentions partly cloudy skies with haze until January 2, after which clearer conditions are expected.
Impact on Air Quality
The reduction in wind speed has had a direct impact on the city's air quality. On Wednesday morning, the air quality deteriorated, with all monitoring stations across Mumbai recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 100, categorised as 'moderate'.
Among the 23 active stations, Powai recorded the worst AQI at 186. This was followed by Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) at 174, Byculla at 169, and Chakala at 158. The overall AQI for Mumbai during this period stood at 136.
As the city prepares for New Year celebrations, the combination of cooler temperatures, hazy skies, and moderate air quality advisories from the IMD suggests a need for vulnerable groups to take necessary precautions while enjoying the festive spirit.
