Hot Days Ahead For Mumbai: Sultry Weather Likely
Key Takeaways:
- Mumbai has already recorded its highest temperature of the season at 35.2°C.
- Wind pattern changes may delay sea breeze and push temperatures above 35°C again.
- High humidity will raise discomfort levels and heat index between Feb 17–20.
- March is expected to turn significantly hotter than February across Mumbai.
Mumbai is likely to become hot and sultry during this week. Yesterday, Santacruz recorded the highest temperature of this season. The maximum rose to 35.2°C, about 4°C above normal. Earlier, the coastal city had a hat trick of 35°C between February 4 and 6, reaching 35.1°C on February 6. Today, the sea breeze has set in early, and the mercury is likely to remain well short of the 35°C mark.
The wind pattern over the city is likely to be adversely affected during this week, and temperatures will frequently cross 35°C. There is an induced cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and adjoining parts. This will stop the northeasterly winds from reaching North Maharashtra and the Konkan region. The shift in the anticyclone from Rajasthan will push more land winds for an extended duration over Madhya Maharashtra and the Konkan region. Additionally, an active weather system is likely to develop over the extreme southern parts of the country and Sri Lanka. This system may reach the depression stage and control wind flow over much of South India. Its peripheral influence may extend up to Maharashtra, including the Konkan region, opposing the early onset of sea winds during the forenoon and afternoon hours.
With the expected change in wind pattern, the onset of sea breeze is likely to be delayed beyond 1300 hours. These conditions become ideal for a rise in mercury levels along the Konkan Coast, including Mumbai. Being a coastal station, humidity levels also remain high. Heat and humidity together create sultry and sticky conditions. Temperatures may even breach yesterday’s mark of 35.2°C during the week. The heat index is expected to stay in the higher range between February 17 and 20, 2026. The temperature rise typically gets arrested immediately after the onset of sea breeze; rather, mercury levels drop sharply once the sea breeze penetrates inland. The upcoming days of March are expected to be much hotter than February.
