Hot Weekend Ahead For Mumbai, Mercury Rise Above 36 Degrees

Going against the norms, the first half of March 2025 has been hotter than the rest so far. Normally, the temperatures climb as the month proceeds, but the mercury has just been hovering near normal for the last 3-4 days. During the first half, temperature records at Santacruz reached a high of 39.2°C on 11th March, the highest so far this year. However, the temperature is likely to rise and possibly reach in excess of 36°C around the weekend. It may not suffice for the heat wave conditions, which commence at 37°C being a coastal city, but surely inch closer to the mark in the coming days.

A cyclonic circulation is marked over Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra in the lower levels. A trough is extending from this system up to Goa and North Coastal Karnataka. After persisting for about three days, another cyclonic circulation is likely to come up over North Interior Karnataka and Madhya Maharashtra on 28th 28thMarch and it shifts along the Konkan region, with an extension of a north-south trough along the coast. It may also give light rain over parts of Madhya Maharashtra on 30th and 31stMarch.

Mumbai has frequently experienced mercury breaching the 40°C mark in March. It exceeded 40°C in 2021, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013 and twice in the month in 2011. Mumbai has recorded the highest temperature of 41.7°C on 28th Mar 1956. Last year, the highest for the month was restricted to 38.8°C on 22nd March. The temperature is expected to rise from here on and reach barely 36°-37°C during the ongoing week.

Mumbai is known for warm and sultry weather in March. There is no other weather activity expected during this period. The heat and humidity are controlled by the onset timings and speed of the sea breeze. An early onset of sea breeze in the forenoon hours itself is restricting the rise of day temperatures nowadays. However, with the likely meteorological situation developing in the next few days, the increase in the day temperature is imminent. The escalation may begin anytime around Friday and reach its current peak around the weekend on Saturday-Sunday. Later, as a rolling effect, scattered rains on the leeward side of the Western Ghats may cool down the city at the start of next week.