Pune is experiencing rising thermal discomfort as a spell of warm days, elevated night temperatures and persistent humidity tightens its grip on the city, signalling an early transition towards summer conditions and raising questions about urban heat resilience. Over the past week, both maximum and minimum readings have remained above seasonal averages in several parts of the city. Daytime temperatures have hovered in the low-to-mid 30s Celsius, while night temperatures in some localities have stayed unusually high, limiting the cooling relief typically expected in February.
Meteorological officials indicate that the current Pune heat and humidity pattern is being shaped by sustained moisture inflow from southeasterly winds and the absence of strong western disturbances over Maharashtra. Morning relative humidity levels have remained elevated, reducing the body’s ability to cool through evaporation of sweat. Even when air temperatures are moderate by peak summer standards, the combination of moisture, light wind speeds and strong solar radiation increases the “feels-like” temperature.
Urban climatologists note that such conditions can be particularly taxing in dense neighbourhoods where built surfaces absorb and re-radiate heat. Warmer nights are often more concerning than hotter days because they prevent buildings from releasing accumulated heat, intensifying the urban heat island effect. For households without efficient ventilation or access to cooling, discomfort levels rise sharply. According to the India Meteorological Department, no sharp change in daytime temperatures is expected in the immediate term, though a brief dip may occur as wind patterns shift later this week. Drier northwesterly winds could lower both maximum and minimum temperatures for a few days before the seasonal warming trend resumes. By early March, forecasters suggest temperatures may climb further, aligning with typical pre-summer patterns.
The persistence of Pune heat and humidity this early in the year has implications beyond personal comfort. Construction schedules, outdoor labour productivity and energy demand for cooling are all sensitive to thermal stress. Power distribution officials often track such periods closely, as sustained warm nights can push up electricity consumption for fans and air-conditioning. Urban planners argue that recurring episodes of combined heat and humidity underscore the need for climate-responsive design. Increased tree canopy, reflective roofing materials, shaded public transport stops and water-sensitive landscaping are among the measures being considered in various Indian cities to reduce heat load. In rapidly expanding peri-urban areas around Pune, integrating such strategies into new housing and commercial projects could moderate long-term exposure.
Public health specialists also highlight the importance of early-season awareness. Hydration, staggered outdoor work hours and improved ventilation in informal settlements become critical as thermal stress builds gradually. For now, residents may see a short-lived easing as wind systems adjust. Yet the broader pattern suggests that managing Pune heat and humidity will remain central to the city’s climate adaptation strategy as summer approaches.
Pune Weather Shift Signals Early Summer
