Pune has ushered in the new year with a notable and abrupt shift in its weather pattern, experiencing a sharp increase in minimum temperatures during the first days of 2026. This warming trend provides a stark contrast to the end of 2025, which was recorded as the city's coldest December in more than ten years.
From Record Cold to a Warm Start
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reveals a significant jump in nighttime temperatures. On January 2, 2026, the Shivajinagar observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius, a substantial increase from the 10.9 degrees Celsius noted just a day earlier. Other areas of the city reported even higher readings, with Magarpatta, Chinchwad, and Koregaon Park seeing minimums around 17 degrees Celsius.
This rise is particularly significant given the historical cold spell that gripped Pune in December 2025. The month ended with an average minimum temperature of just 10.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest figure in over a decade. Furthermore, the city endured 18 consecutive mornings where the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark, creating an extended period of intense cold.
IMD Explains the Warming Trend
According to IMD scientist S D Sanap, this shift is a typical seasonal occurrence. "This is quite a normal occurrence for this time of the year," Sanap stated. He attributed the rising temperatures to the weakening of northerly dry and cold winds over the region, coupled with an increased influence of moist southeasterly winds.
The IMD's forecast predicts this warming trend to continue over the coming days. The minimum temperature is expected to climb further, potentially reaching 15 degrees Celsius by January 8, 2026. Daytime maximum temperatures are also projected to increase, rising from around 30 degrees Celsius to approximately 32 degrees Celsius within the same period.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The recent cold wave in December 2025 was a rare event, with historical IMD records showing a comparable spell only in December 2013, when Pune witnessed 16 consecutive days of single-digit minimum temperatures. Interestingly, a similar warming pattern was observed at the start of January 2025, when minimums began around 13 degrees Celsius and rose to about 15 degrees Celsius by the end of the first week.
The abrupt transition from a record-cold December to a markedly warmer January highlights the dynamic nature of Pune's winter climate. Residents, who had bundled up against the prolonged chill, are now experiencing a rapid return to more typical winter conditions as the meteorological factors influencing the region's weather undergo their seasonal change.
