Even typically warmer areas were affected, with Magarpatta logging 15.3 degrees C and Chinchwad 14.2 degrees C, down from 17.8 degrees C, and 17.1 degrees C, respectively on New Year’s Day. The Pashan observatory recorded 8.3 degrees C
Pune has recorded minimum temperatures of around 8 degrees Celsius only three times in the past decade. Representation pic/istock
Pune shivered through its coldest morning of the year on Friday, January 9, with the minimum temperature plunging to 8.4 degrees Celsius at the Shivajinagar weather station, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported.
This marked a steep drop from the 13.5 degrees C recorded on January 1, continuing a cold spell across the city.
Even typically warmer areas were affected, with Magarpatta logging 15.3 degrees C and Chinchwad 14.2 degrees C, down from 17.8 degrees C, and 17.1 degrees C, respectively on New Year’s Day. The Pashan observatory recorded 8.3 degrees C.
IMD scientists attributed the chill to an anticyclonic circulation over Central India, drawing cold northerly winds into Maharashtra via northeast Vidarbha. Clear night skies further intensified the drop in temperatures.
Senior IMD scientist SD Sanap told mid-day, “Temperatures have been steadily declining over the past three days and are expected to remain low for the next two days. A slight rise of two to three degrees is expected from January 12.”
Historical records show Pune has recorded minimum temperatures around 8 degrees C only three times in the past decade — on January 9 in 2015, 2019, and 2023. By contrast, the same date last year saw a much warmer temperature at 18.2 degrees C.
The IMD forecast expects minimum temperatures to stay below 10 degrees C at least until Saturday, with a gradual warming trend bringing night temperatures to around 12 degrees C by January 14.
December 2025 was unusually cold, with 18 days of single-digit minimums and an average minimum temperature of 10.5 degrees C, the lowest December average since 2015.
The month experienced two prolonged cold phases, from December 9 to 16 and December 19 to 26, with the lowest temperature of 7.9 degrees C recorded on December 12.
Meteorologists said the persistent northerly winds over Maharashtra, combined with a lack of western disturbances post-monsoon, contributed to the harsher winter.
Looking ahead, the IMD’s probabilistic outlook for January indicates that night temperatures across most parts of Maharashtra — including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Madhya Maharashtra — are likely to remain below normal, while daytime temperatures are expected to stay cooler than usual.
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