Mumbai’s weather has been unpredictable this December, with temperatures fluctuating sharply in the past few days. After a significant drop on Monday, December 9, when the temperature plummeted to 13.7°C—5.1°C below the normal range—the city has witnessed a notable increase in mercury levels. The temperature rose by 7°C in just two days, reaching 20°C on Wednesday, December 11, at the Santacruz observatory, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
This surge in temperature follows a relatively milder period, with the mercury dipping to 18°C on the morning of December 10. Despite these fluctuations, both Santacruz and Colaba weather stations recorded temperatures close to the average, with Colaba registering a higher 22°C on Wednesday. The temperature dip on December 9 marked the coldest day for the city in nearly nine years, but the subsequent rise suggests a dynamic shift in weather patterns. IMD attributes the increase in temperatures earlier this week to various meteorological phenomena, including the combined influence of Cyclone Fengal and easterly winds, which had raised temperatures significantly the previous week. The mercury soared to 37.3°C last week, the highest December temperature in 13 years, while the minimum temperature touched 25.5°C, bringing about a distinct contrast with the current readings.
Despite the rise, Mumbai’s temperatures remain within normal parameters, with Santacruz recording 33.8°C on Tuesday, one degree above normal, and Colaba’s high of 32°C matching its expected value. Air quality in Mumbai has been a point of concern as well. The Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported moderate air quality across several areas in the city on December 11, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 131 at 9:05 AM. Notably, Bandra Kurla Complex registered a higher AQI of 175, reflecting moderate air quality, while other areas like Borivali, Chembur, and Worli also reported AQI levels in the moderate category, ranging from 108 to 142. Despite the rise in temperatures, the air quality in Colaba was deemed ‘good’, with an AQI of 126. Overall, Mumbai continues to experience significant weather fluctuations, with temperature swings and moderate air quality persisting as December progresses.
