Mumbai witnessed a welcomed respite from the sweltering April heat on Friday as overcast skies and light winds brought a noticeable dip in humidity.
According to meteorological experts, the city experienced a morning temperature of 29°C, with relative humidity recorded at 77% and gentle breezes providing a sense of comfort for residents stepping out at the start of the weekend. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that no rainfall alert has been issued for the city, although intermittent cloudy weather is expected to continue through the day. The temperature range for April 19 is forecasted between 24°C and 33°C, suggesting that while conditions remain warm, they will be considerably more bearable than the typical harsh summer highs.
Officials noted that while no rainfall is expected in Mumbai today, neighbouring regions such as Vidarbha, Konkan, and Goa may experience brief drizzles due to a temporary moisture build-up in the atmosphere. Thane Taluka, in particular, may receive light rainfall ranging between 0.1 mm and 5 mm over the next 24 hours. While these showers are not expected to affect Mumbai directly, they may contribute to the city’s cloud cover and cooler sensation. IMD has forecast that clearer skies will return to Mumbai on April 20, with a slightly warmer temperature band between 24°C and 34°C. The sunset is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. today, and with no anticipated weather disturbances, city operations are expected to continue as usual.
Meteorological experts have clarified that the current weather pattern is not linked to any monsoonal or pre-monsoonal developments. Rather, the mild overcast is attributed to shifting wind patterns and upper-air moisture, common during the transitional period leading up to the southwest monsoon, which typically begins in early June. The atmospheric stability and lack of significant systems in the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal suggest that weather in Mumbai will remain dry, albeit occasionally cloudy, for the next couple of days. The overcast sky has brought with it a psychological and environmental breather for city residents, many of whom have been grappling with intense daytime heat over the past week. While the mercury hasn’t plummeted dramatically, the reduction in solar radiation due to thick cloud cover has led to less thermal discomfort and fewer heat-related health complaints.
Environmentalists have also welcomed the temporary drop in temperature, pointing to the importance of urban green cover and natural climate buffers. Experts have reiterated the value of urban forestation, water bodies, and green infrastructure in mitigating the urban heat island effect—a phenomenon where concrete-dominated cityscapes retain and radiate heat more than rural counterparts. City officials have urged residents to continue taking basic precautions such as staying hydrated, limiting exposure during peak afternoon hours, and ensuring that children and elderly family members are protected from sudden temperature variations, especially as the weather transitions. With summer intensifying across the subcontinent, the IMD has advised citizens to remain alert for updates and advisories, particularly as temperature spikes are still likely later this month.
The absence of a heatwave alert does not rule out potential discomfort for vulnerable groups, particularly those working outdoors or in high-exposure environments. NGOs and civic groups have also been mobilising to provide drinking water kiosks and shaded rest points in high-traffic public areas as part of a community-led climate resilience effort. Although brief, the relief from Mumbai’s characteristically scorching April heat has revived calls for more sustainable urban planning practices, including initiatives to lower urban carbon footprints and implement long-term cooling strategies like rooftop gardens, reflective building materials, and wider tree canopy coverage.
As the city looks forward to the full onset of the monsoon in the coming months, today’s weather serves as a timely reminder of the delicate balance between climate, infrastructure, and human well-being in India’s most densely populated urban centre.
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