Pune residents have been bundling up against a persistent chill, but the weather data reveals a surprising fact: the temperatures are not as low as they feel. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that while mornings feel bitterly cold, the actual minimum temperature in the city was a moderate 11.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
The RealFeel Factor: Why Skin Feels Colder
The disconnect between the actual temperature and what people experience is explained by a concept called the RealFeel Temperature. This index calculates how hot or cold the weather feels to the human body, influenced heavily by humidity levels. Anupam Kashyapi, former head of weather forecasting at IMD, clarifies the current phenomenon.
"If the atmosphere contains a lot of moisture, you may feel warmer at a particular temperature. The skin sweats, but the humid air does not let it dry quickly," Kashyapi explains. "At present, we are seeing the reverse phenomena in Maharashtra."
The cause is linked to the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Its remnant, situated over Tamil Nadu, is creating anticlockwise movements that are pulling moisture away from the Maharashtra region. With less moisture in the air, sweat on the skin evaporates faster, creating a stronger cooling sensation. This makes the body feel colder even when the thermometer reads a higher number.
Pune's Temperature Snapshot and Weekly Forecast
On Wednesday, parts of Pune like Koregaon Park and Lohegaon recorded morning temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius. Even Pashan, which typically logs the city's lowest readings, saw a minimum of 11 degrees C. During the day, the city's temperature was around 28 degrees Celsius, with stations in Lavale, Magarpatta, and Lohegaon recording highs of approximately 30 degrees C.
The IMD forecast indicates that this pattern is likely to continue for most of the week, with mainly clear skies prevailing. Kashyapi notes that daytime temperatures below 30 degrees C also amplify the perception of coldness, explaining why people feel chilly even in the afternoon.
Cold Wave Alert Status and Regional Outlook
Despite the pervasive chill, the IMD did not issue a cold wave alert for Maharashtra on Wednesday. Kashyapi states that while minimum temperatures will remain low and isolated places may hover near cold wave conditions, a severe cold wave is unlikely in the state in the coming days.
"There is unlikely to be any more cold wave in the next few days," he said. He attributed recent temperature fluctuations to the influence of two cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the presence of upper air low-pressure systems in the Western Himalayan region.
Looking ahead, Kashyapi predicts that northerly winds bringing cold air into Maharashtra will continue between December 3 and 5, but they will not be strong enough to cause a drastic temperature drop. "There will be a cold wave in north India and even in Madhya Pradesh but Maharashtra is unlikely to see the mercury dipping to very low single digits," he concluded.
