November this year was not the wettest in Pune

This might come as a surprise, but November 2010 is not the wettest November in Pune in the last 10 years. November 2009 was wetter than the present month by almost four times.

The rainfall figures for the last 10 years provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to DNA (see box), indicates that the total rainfall in the month of November 2009 was 176.8 mm. This was almost four times more than the 45.1 mm rainfall recorded in the city till November 23 this year.

Speaking to DNA, IMD’s director, weather forecasting, Medha Khole said November 2009 had received excess rainfall because of the after effects of cyclone Phyan.

Explaining the present wet spell, Khole said, “We had a late withdrawal of the monsoon on October 29. This was immediately followed by cyclone Jal and it’s after effects in the first week of November. In subsequent weeks, an active north-east monsoon has resulted in the formation of several troughs between Lakshadweep islands and Maharashtra, which have resulted in rain over Pune.”However, Khole pointed out that Puneites could look forward to a much drier weekend.

“There is very low probability of rain in the next 48 hours. The forecast points to partly, cloudy skies. The minimum temperatures have dropped by two degrees from 21 to 19 in the last two days and should settle down around 18 for the next 48 hours,” Khole said.