Financial capital, Mumbai has been witnessing hot and humid conditions, raising the discomfort level. The day temperatures are climbing to mid-30s for the last 4 consecutive days. With humidity levels in excess of 50%, oppressing sultry conditions have been impinging the normal life during peak hours. Yesterday, the day's maximum temperature was 34.1°C, about 2°C above the normal. Minimum temperature is mercifully checked to stay a little below the average. Morning weather conditions, therefore, remain comfortable and the land breeze still keeps the early hours fairly pleasant.
Weather conditions may become a little harsh during the week. Marginal rise in the day temperatures and increase in the humidity levels may raise the discomfort index. The wind pattern is likely to undergo a change over the next 2 days. This change will restrict the northeasterly winds, from the relatively cool plains of Rajasthan and Gujarat, reaching the Konkan coast. A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over Saurashtra, South Gujarat and North Madhya Maharashtra after 48 hours. In addition, an anticyclone may appear over the Arabian Sea, off Goa and North Coastal Karnataka. This feature will impact the wind flow all along Konkan & Goa and the interior parts.
Consequent to the above features, wind patterns are likely to be disturbed in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The land breeze in the morning hours may become weak and truncated. Timings for the onset of sea breeze may also vary from the normal pattern. The sun is going to be sharp, without any significant cloud cover. An increase in humidity levels and even a marginal rise in temperature, become a deadly combination. Discomfort will be more on account of sticky conditions than airless heat.
Mumbai airport observatory at Santacruz has a track record of 40°C or even more in the month of March. Actually, Mumbai registers more days with a temperature of 40°C or more, as compared to April. The frequency of rain, showers or thunderstorms is zero in March. Santacruz has recorded temperature of 41.3°C on 17Mar 2011 and exact 41°C on 26Mar 2018. Last year was a shade better with the temperature getting arrested short of 40°C. The highest maximum was 39.4°C on 12 Mar 2023. The second half of March 2024 is expected to be hotter than the first one. That's good news for Mumbaikars.
