Goa Turns Hot, Mercury Rises Sharply

The West Coast has become rather hot. The day temperatures all along are above normal and have breached the 35°C mark at a few places. Karwar was the hottest station yesterday with a maximum temperature of 36.6°C. Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore and Honavar recorded a day high of 35°C or more. Goa exceeded 35°C for the third time in the last 15 days or so. The coastal resort recorded a maximum of 35.5°C yesterday, about 4°-5°C above the normal. Earlier also, the city recorded the same temperature on the 25th and 26th Jan 2025. Goa, on the southwestern coast of India in the Konkan region and separated by the Western Ghats from the Deccan highlands, has recorded temperatures in the mid-30s for the last four days in a row.

The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, wherein the weather conditions remain pleasant and extreme temperatures do not bother the tourists. However, it is a little early this season for the mercury to soar in excess of 35°C. Coupled with the high humidity, being a coastal station, the discomfort rises during the afternoon hours. Yes, the sea breeze in the late afternoon and evening becomes a soother and mitigates the heat.

The wind pattern over Konkan and Goa, a little unusual, is responsible for the abnormal rise in temperatures. The seasonal anticyclone over Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh has been pushed far to the east, over Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the Vidarbha region. Another anticyclone is marked over the North and Northeast Arabian Sea, off the Konkan and Gujarat coasts. Konkan and Goa are getting squeezed in between these two giant features. The wind pattern has been altered, blowing predominantly from the land for longer durations. The onset of the sea breeze is getting delayed, leading to a rise in the day temperatures.

Similar conditions are likely to prevail along the coastline during this week. The temperatures all along Konkan & Goa in general and Panjim in particular are likely to remain above normal. High humidity and rising temperatures will increase the heat index. Sultry conditions are likely during forenoon and afternoon hours, between 1000 hrs and 1600 hrs. Evenings and nights are expected to be better off, on account of moderate breezes. The upcoming month of March will witness rather sticky conditions for long hours and restrict the footfall of the visitors.