The India Meteorological Department has issued a significant weather alert for Pune and surrounding regions, predicting a substantial drop in temperatures that will bring winter chills to the city and isolated cold wave conditions across Maharashtra.
Temperature Plunge Records
Pune residents are bracing for colder days ahead as meteorological data reveals a consistent downward trend in temperatures. The nighttime temperatures have already dipped by a full degree, falling from 13.7°C on Thursday to 12.7°C on Friday, establishing a new seasonal record. The Pashan area recorded the city's lowest temperature this season at 12.3°C, indicating the early onset of winter conditions.
According to IMD forecasts, the mercury is expected to drop even further, potentially reaching 11°C on Monday. This significant temperature decline marks a noticeable shift from the previously stable weather patterns that characterized the region.
Statewide Cold Wave Patterns
The winter chill isn't confined to Pune alone. Across Maharashtra, temperatures have dipped below normal levels, with several districts experiencing unusually cold conditions. Jalgaon in North Maharashtra has emerged as the coldest location in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 9°C. This district had previously registered the season's first single-digit temperature reading of 9.6°C on November 10.
Other areas in the Pune district, particularly Talegaon and Malin, have also experienced significant cooling, with temperatures falling to approximately 11°C. The weather office has indicated the likelihood of isolated cold wave conditions developing in North and North-East Maharashtra in the coming days.
Scientific Explanation for the Chill
Dr. Anupam Kashyapi, former head of the Weather Forecaster and Crop Advisor at IMD, provided insights into the meteorological factors driving this temperature drop. The clear skies following the departure of the South West Monsoon have created ideal conditions for rapid temperature drops during evenings and nights.
"A cloudless sky allows the radiation from the sun, which warms the Earth's surface during the day, to escape rapidly in the evenings and the night, which brings about a significant drop in temperature," explained Dr. Kashyapi.
Additional factors contributing to the cold conditions include Northerly winds blowing in from the Western Himalayan Region, carrying chill from Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to northern and central Indian states, including Maharashtra. The dry atmospheric conditions that prevent moisture retention have also intensified the cold sensation.
The weakening of the western disturbance - an upper air cyclonic circulation that typically brings winter rain and snow to Kashmir - has further contributed to the temperature decline as it moves eastward.
Daytime temperatures in Pune have also begun their descent, with Shivajinagar recording a drop from 30.2°C to 29.8°C between Thursday and Friday. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 29°C on Sunday and Monday, creating partially cooler conditions throughout the day.
Dr. Kashyapi has advised residents to take necessary precautions against the cold while enjoying the winter season. The IMD continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the weather pattern evolves.
