Pune Witnesses Prolonged Cold Spell, Lowest December Temperatures Since 2019
Pune, 20th December 2024: Pune residents are currently experiencing an extended period of chilly weather, with minimum temperatures dipping into single digits for five consecutive days, marking the longest stretch of such cold since 2019.
On Thursday, temperatures in Shivajinagar fell to a brisk 8.9°C, while the NDA area recorded an even colder 7.5°C. This is part of a consistent drop in night temperatures since December 15. In comparison, the city recorded single-digit temperatures on two days in December 2022, and on four occasions in 2020. However, no such dips were observed during December in 2019, 2021, or 2023.
Independent weather expert Abhijit Modak pointed out that this December’s weather pattern feels reminiscent of the winters of the 1990s. Modak noted, “In the past few years, especially since 2018, the northeast monsoon has been more active in southern India. This has occasionally brought cloud cover or very light rainfall to Maharashtra in December, which tends to prevent night-time cooling.”
He added that Pune experienced measurable rainfall in recent Decembers, with IMD data showing 0.9mm in 2019, 4.5mm in 2020, and a record-breaking 75.4mm in 2021. However, the lack of such weather this year has allowed nighttime temperatures to drop freely. He said, “This year feels like a throwback to older winters, with several single-digit nights in Pune and parts of Madhya Maharashtra.”
Modak highlighted that clear skies and low humidity levels have been critical factors. He explained, “Under a high-pressure system over central India, cold winds from the north flowed freely, leading to significant nighttime cooling. The lack of cloud cover and moisture in the air contributed to a greater diurnal variation, where daytime temperatures hovered around 30°C while nights were much colder.”
The unique topography of the Deccan Plateau also played a role in amplifying the drop in minimum temperatures, creating conditions similar to semi-arid regions.
As Pune continues to shiver under this prolonged cold spell, meteorologists anticipate more chilly nights ahead, offering Punekars a rare taste of the traditional winters the city was once known for.
