Pune Records Season’s Lowest Temperature at 7.8°C; Colder Nights Persist Across City and State

Pune, 16th December 2024: Pune experienced its coldest morning of the season on Monday, with the minimum temperature dipping to 7.8°C in Shivajinagar. Other locations around the city, such as NDA and Shirur, recorded even lower temperatures of 6.1°C and 6.2°C, respectively, as chilly conditions persisted across central Pune and its outskirts.

On Sunday, the mercury had already dipped to single-digit levels in many areas. The NDA reported a minimum of 8°C, while Shivajinagar and Pashan recorded 9°C and 9.3°C, respectively. In contrast, parts of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad experienced comparatively warmer nights, with minimum temperatures ranging between 12.3°C and 15.3°C. For instance, Magarpatta reported 15.9°C, Chinchwad 15.1°C, Lavale 15°C, Koregaon Park 14.1°C, and Lohgaon 12.6°C.

Speaking about these temperature variations, SD Sanap, a scientist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said, “The state has been experiencing a strong influence of northerly winds, which has caused temperatures to drop significantly over the past 48 hours. However, from Tuesday onwards, a gradual rise in temperatures is expected as easterly-southeasterly winds bring moisture to regions like Madhya Maharashtra, including Pune. Minimum temperatures are likely to increase by two to three degrees Celsius.”

This drop in temperature follows a period of higher minimums earlier this month, attributed to moisture influx. In recent days, Pune’s minimum temperatures have steadily decreased, falling from 19°C to 16°C and then to 12°C before reaching single digits in some areas.

Across Maharashtra, the chill was felt even more sharply in Dhule, which recorded the state’s lowest minimum temperature of 4.1°C on Sunday. Dhule has consistently experienced minimums between 4°C and 6°C for the past week, with November 17 previously marking its season’s lowest at 4°C. On Sunday, Dhule’s maximum temperature stood at 28°C.

Niphad, a key grape-growing region in Nashik district, reported its coldest night of the season at 6.1°C, making it the second-coldest location in Maharashtra on Sunday. Meanwhile, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar experienced a minimum temperature of 8.8°C, nearly four degrees below the normal range.

After two weeks of fluctuating minimums, Pune’s cold nights are expected to ease as temperatures gradually rise in the coming days. On December 14, Shivajinagar recorded a minimum of 10.1°C, which was still 1.6°C below normal, while Ahilyanagar reported 6.4°C, marking a 5.9°C deviation below the seasonal average.

With winter settling in, the IMD advises residents to brace for fluctuating temperatures and take necessary precautions to cope with the seasonal chill.