Second Round Of Heat Wave For Mumbai: Mercury Nears Forty Degrees
Key Takeaways:
- Mumbai recorded 38.9°C on March 4 and 5, triggering early-season heat wave conditions.
- The city has crossed 38°C three times already in March 2026.
- Delayed sea breeze onset is a key factor driving higher daytime temperatures.
- Hot and humid conditions likely to persist until the weekend.
The coastal city Mumbai has been witnessing extreme heat early in the season. Mumbai had earlier recorded heat wave conditions on 04th and 05th March 2026. On both days, the temperature breached the 38°C mark, reaching 38.9°C, the highest of the season so far. These temperatures were about 6°C above average and therefore amounted to heat wave conditions.
Unlike the plains, where a heat wave begins when temperatures reach the 40°C mark, coastal cities have a lower threshold of 37°C. The departure from normal needs to be 4.5°C or more. Yesterday again, the city crossed 38°C for the third time this month, resulting in heat wave conditions. Today also, the maximum temperature will settle between 38°C and 39°C. It may exceed yesterday’s mark but is likely to remain close to 39°C.\
Mumbai has been touching 38°C quite often in the month of March. Historically, the city has breached this mark almost every year over the last fifteen years, since 2011. However, March 2020 was an exception, when the highest temperature of the month was restricted to 37.5°C. The maximum temperature for the day has a direct correlation with the timing of the onset of sea breeze. Under favourable meteorological conditions, when the onset of sea breeze takes place after 12 PM, the temperature invariably exceeds 37°C around this time of the year.
Normally, the highest temperature of the month is registered during the last ten days of March. This year, the heat has arrived a little earlier, and therefore the number of heat wave days may exceed the normal count. The weather and wind pattern are expected to remain favourable for similar hot and humid conditions until the weekend.
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