Minimum temperatures drop across state; Jalgaon coolest at 15.4°C, NDA in Pune 15.6°C

Pune: A sharp drop in night temperatures swept across Maharashtra on Monday, with Jalgaon emerging as the state’s coolest location at 15.4°C, followed by NDA in Pune at 15.6°C.Dry northwesterly winds and clear skies brought a sharp decline in night temperatures across the city, with the minimum at Shivajinagar dropping to 17.4°C, down from 20.4°C a day earlier. The maximum temperature stood at 34.2°C — a wide day-night temperature difference of 16.8°C. NDA’s 15.6°C was the lowest of the season so far at the station.Relative humidity at 5.30pm was 29% at Shivajinagar and just 18% at Lohegaon. The latter recorded a maximum of 34.6°C and a minimum of 17.7°C.“Northwesterly winds are dominating most parts of Maharashtra. Minimum temperatures are dropping, while daytime temperatures are still reaching around 35°C. Dry air intrusion and clear skies are allowing greater radiational cooling at night, resulting in the fall in minimum temperatures,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist SD Sanap said.Among the other relatively cool locations in Maharashtra on Monday were Washim and Yavatmal, both at 16°C, followed by Nashik (16.2°C), Gondia (16.5°C), Parbhani (16.9°C) and Mahabaleshwar (17°C).Residents in the city reported discomfort amid the dry conditions. “It has been extremely dry lately. The sudden drop in temperatures and the big difference between day and night temperatures means that we have to not only face hotter afternoons but also cooler nights. I am also experiencing sinus issues,” Kalyaninagar resident Pragya Saha said.Low humidity can dry and irritate the nasal passages, sinuses and throat, worsening discomfort among people prone to sinus problems. The dry conditions may ease somewhat towards the end of the week, with the approaching cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal expected to bring some moisture into parts of Maharashtra.Cyclonic storm Arnab over the westcentral Bay of Bengal was centred about 490km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 490km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam at 5.30pm on Monday. IMD said it was likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of Oct 28, with sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph and gusts of up to 140 kmph.“After Oct 28-29, minimum temperatures are likely to rise because of moisture incursion under the influence of the cyclone,” Sanap said.Isolated rainfall could not be ruled out in parts of Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, as well as eastern Vidarbha. However, widespread or heavy rainfall was not expected in these regions, he said.Pune city is not expected to receive significant rainfall. IMD’s local forecast, however, indicates the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rain and gusty winds at isolated places in the Pune Ghats on Thursday (Oct 29).For Tuesday, IMD has forecast a maximum temperature of 34°C and a minimum of 18°C in the city, with mainly clear skies becoming partly cloudy towards the evening.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in PuneStay updated with the latest Pune news. Download the TOI App.