Nashik temperature fell to a season-low 13.9°C for the second consecutive day on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting minimum temperatures of around 14°C until November 19. The cooler nights have brought relief to farmers in the district, who are depending on the rabi season after inadequate rainfall affected their kharif crops.
IMD data showed that the minimum temperature was 1.4°C below normal on Friday. However, daytime conditions remained warmer than usual, with the maximum temperature reaching 32.2°C, around 2°C above the seasonal average. Nashik recorded maximum temperatures of 32.9°C on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Meteorologists attributed the fall in night temperatures to intense snowfall in northern India and cold northerly winds moving across the region. The forecast indicates that minimum temperatures are likely to remain close to 14°C through November 19, while maximum temperatures are expected to stay around 33°C.
The cooler mornings are significant for farmers preparing for the rabi crop cycle. Raghunath Ramraje, a farmer from Niphad, said the kharif season had suffered because of inadequate rainfall and that farmers were now relying on rabi crops. He said mild and cool conditions were important for grain filling and weight gain in jowar and bajra.
Agriculture experts said daytime temperatures between 24°C and 30°C and night temperatures between 15°C and 20°C were considered ideal during the grain-filling stage. They cautioned that higher temperatures could lead to premature crop maturity, producing smaller grains and reducing yields.
The temperature pattern has also changed the experience of residents in Nashik city, known for its winter chill. Smit Rane, a Nashik-based businessman, welcomed the colder mornings and said residents were looking forward to temperatures falling below 10°C.
For now, the IMD forecast points to continued cool nights alongside warmer afternoons. Farmers and residents will be watching the minimum temperature trend through November 19 as the rabi season progresses.
