Mumbai: Oct has begun on a scorching note even before southwest monsoon’s official withdrawal from Mumbai. IMD’s Colaba observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4°C on Friday, its highest for the month since at least 2013, putting south Mumbai in the grip of an unusual early month heat spike.The rest of the city wasn’t spared either. The Santacruz weather station—which is considered the benchmark for Mumbai—logged a maximum of 36.9°C, close to its last year’s high of 37°C on Oct 17. In 2024, the observatory recorded a maximum of 36.5°C on Oct 8.The recordings at the Colaba and Santacruz stations were 5.6°C and 4.6°C, respectively, above normal. The Colaba observatory’s all-time high for the month was on Oct 22, 1968, at 39.5°C.The night offered little relief in south Mumbai. Colaba recorded a minimum of 27.5°C (2.2°C above normal) and Santacruz 25.7°C (close to normal).The weather bureau has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar for Saturday, warning of hot and humid conditions at isolated places. The conditions will continue to prevail in Thane on Sunday.The monsoon’s normal date of withdrawal from the city is Oct 8, but IMD believes it will most likely happen this weekend itself.Independent weather observer Abhijit Modak said Mumbai has entered the post-monsoon transition, with changing wind patterns contributing to the rise in temperatures. “Just as expected and as forecast earlier, the strengthening anti-cyclonic circulation is inducing easterly/land breeze flow, suppressing the usual coastal moderation and driving temperatures higher across Konkan,” he said.The sharp rise in daytime temperatures left residents in considerable discomfort. Some pointed out that the ‘real feel’ could be much higher than the actual recording of 36-37°C. The relative humidity recorded at the Colaba and Santacruz observatories was 80% and 78%, respectively. The city saw monsoon withdrawal showers only at the beginning of this week.
