Mumbai bakes: Why is the city feeling so hot at night, and where is monsoon?
Mumbai endured one of its most uncomfortable nights on record as the city's minimum temperature remained at a sweltering 30.2°C, making it the warmest June
Mumbai endured one of its most uncomfortable nights on record as the city's minimum temperature remained at a sweltering 30.2°C, making it the warmest June night ever recorded. The same record was also matched in Harnai along the Maharashtra coast, highlighting an unusual spell of nighttime heat gripping the region. The record-breaking minimum temperature means that even after sunset, the city failed to cool down, leaving residents struggling through a hot and humid night. Weather experts warn that the record could be challenged or even broken again in the coming days if current atmospheric conditions persist. Read Full Story WHY IS MUMBAI SO HOT AT NIGHT?
The unusually high nighttime temperatures are closely linked to the delayed progress of the southwest monsoon over Maharashtra. While the monsoon has advanced over parts of southern India and the west coast, its progress has slowed significantly over the state, leaving Mumbai caught between the hot pre-monsoon conditions and the expected onset of widespread rainfall. Normally, persistent monsoon clouds and frequent rain showers help keep daytime temperatures in check and allow nights to cool. This year, however, clear to partly cloudy skies and the absence of sustained rainfall have allowed heat and moisture to accumulate over the city. Adding to the discomfort are strong moisture-laden winds blowing in from the Arabian Sea.
These winds are carrying large amounts of humidity into Mumbai, causing the atmosphere to retain heat even after sunset. High humidity limits nighttime cooling because water vapour acts like a blanket, trapping heat near the surface. Meteorologists say sea surface temperatures over the Arabian Sea are also running above normal, providing additional moisture to the atmosphere. Combined with weak monsoon activity, the result is a sticky and oppressive weather pattern that keeps both daytime and nighttime temperatures elevated. The big question for residents is: where is the monsoon rain? WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE MONSOON? The answer lies in the current monsoon circulation. Dry air intrusions over central India and a lack of strong weather systems over the Arabian Sea have slowed the monsoon's northward advance.
As a result, widespread rain-bearing cloud bands have not yet established themselves over Maharashtra. Forecast models suggest that scattered showers may continue over the coming days, but the city is still waiting for the kind of sustained rainfall that typically arrives by this stage of June. Until the monsoon regains momentum, Mumbai may continue to experience unusually warm and humid nights, with the possibility of more temperature records being challenged along the Konkan coast. Ends
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