Pune woke up to an unusually chilly Monday as the city recorded its first single-digit minimum temperature of the season at 9.8°C in Pashan. Other areas, including Shivajinagar, registered a low of 10.2°C, indicating temperatures significantly below normal for mid-November. This early winter chill placed Pune in an uncommon climate band, comparable to northern cities such as Chandigarh and Delhi, where minimum temperatures hovered around 9–10°C.
Across Maharashtra, several interior districts also experienced single-digit lows. Dhule recorded the coldest temperature in the state at 6.2°C, while Jalgaon and Ahilyangar noted 9.8°C and 9.5°C respectively. Other regions in Madhya Maharashtra, including Nashik, Sangli, and Satara, reported minimums 3–5°C below seasonal averages, suggesting a widespread cooling trend. An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that certain pockets briefly met cold-wave criteria. “On Monday, Jeur in Solapur and parts of Nashik satisfied preliminary cold-wave conditions, though official declaration requires persistence for two consecutive days,” the meteorologist noted. The sudden dip reflects the interaction of local atmospheric conditions with northern easterly winds, resulting in colder mornings despite Pune’s relatively southern location.
Daytime temperatures in Pune also remained cooler than usual, with Pashan recording a maximum of 26.4°C, down from Sunday’s 27.2°C. This aligns the city with northern urban centres currently experiencing typical winter peaks, highlighting the intensity of the current cold spell. Citizens reported a noticeable chill during early morning commutes, prompting increased use of heaters and warmer clothing, particularly among elderly residents. Despite the cold mornings, IMD officials project a gradual rise in temperatures from November 19 onwards. “Easterly winds are expected to push minimums up by 1–2°C over the coming days,” an official said. Urban planners and civic authorities continue to monitor vulnerable populations, including senior citizens and children, to ensure preparedness for unseasonal temperature variations.
Experts emphasise that while early winter cold is not unusual, its intensity and timing have implications for energy consumption, water usage, and urban health planning. Such events underscore the importance of climate-sensitive city management and sustainable infrastructure to mitigate the impact of sudden weather extremes on residents’ daily lives.
Pune Experiences First Winter Single Digit Minimum, Dhule Records Lowest State Temperature
