The cold wave currently gripping the Northern as well as the Central parts of India have been helping Mumbaikars experience some chill in the air. On Sunday morning the minimum temperatures dropped to 13.8 degree Celsius, making Sunday the coldest day this winter.
Before this, the lowest temperature was recorded as 14.1 degree Celsius on January 2. Infact Mumbai's Air Quality Index (AQI) too, which had deteriorated in the past week got much better as the overall AQI reported by System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) on Sunday was 140 putting it in 'Moderate' category, which in the past week was in poor category.
KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General, Western Region, Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) said that the drop in the mercury was due to the cold winds blowing from north. “Mumbai is experiencing North and Northwesterly winds and infact even the cold winds from Gujarat saw Mumbai recording the lowest minimum temperatures at both Santacruz and Colaba,” he said adding that while the temperatures recorded at Santacruz observatory was 13.8 degree Celsius while at Colaba observatory was 17.5 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile as per experts it was the wind that ensured that Mumbai was witnessing a much better AQI than usual. “The consistent wind helps move the dust and smaller pollutants thus helping better the air quality. Infact on Sunday several stations where AQI is measured reported slightly better PM 2.5 levels,” said an official adding that most parts of the city including south mumbai saw clear skies and less haze compared to last few weeks.
On Sunday the minimum recorded temperatures at Mahabaleswar was 11.5 degree Celsius, Nagpur was 11.0, Nashik was 8.0 degree Celsius and Pune was 10.9 degree Celsius.
Infact the all time record for lowest temperature in January was on January 22, 1962 when the minimum temperature recorded was 7.2 degree Celsius. According to IMD officials till date Mumbai's three of the coldest days have been in January 1962, when the minimum was recorded as 7.2 degree Celsius, In February 2008 when the minimum mercury reached 8.5 degree Celsius and in February 2012 when the minimum temperature recorded was 8.8 Celsius.
