Mumbai Sees Unseasonal Heatwave in February with Temperatures Over 36°C

Mumbai, 18th February 2025: Although February is typically a winter month, the city has been experiencing unusually high temperatures, surpassing 36°C.

The temperature reached 36°C on February 13 and 36.7°C on February 14, well over five degrees above the seasonal average. On February 15, the temperature recorded at the India Meteorological Department’s Santacruz station was 36.1°C.

This hot spell is expected to continue throughout the week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting daily highs of 36 to 37°C until at least the weekend.

This early February heat follows Mumbai’s hottest January on record.

Sunil Kamble, Director of IMD Mumbai, explained that easterly winds are prevailing until noon, after which they shift to north-westerly, which causes the rise in temperatures during the day. He added, “Easterly winds in the morning are cooler, while the north-westerly winds in the afternoon lead to a surge in temperatures. These above-normal conditions are expected to persist throughout the week.”

The IMD also noted the absence of western disturbances, which usually bring rain in February and cooler northerly winds that help lower temperatures in the city.

Rajesh Kapadia, a weather blogger for Vagaries of Weather, explained that the north-westerly winds were generated by an anticyclonic system over the Arabian Sea. “This system causes winds to rotate clockwise, bringing warm north-westerly winds to Mumbai,” he said.

Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather Services added that the clear skies and abundant sunshine have resulted in both high daytime temperatures and rapid cooling during the night.

Is this February heat out of the ordinary for Mumbai?
Although this warm spell feels unusual, IMD records show that it is not entirely uncommon. For instance, in February 2024, Mumbai saw temperatures rise to 37.5°C, and the highest recorded temperature in February 2023 was 37.9°C.

The hottest February day ever recorded in the city was in 1966 when temperatures peaked at 39.6°C.

However, the significant difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, known as the diurnal range, is more typical in March, not February.

Does this mean winter is over for Mumbai?
“February marks the transition between winter and summer for the city, so temperature fluctuations are normal during this month,” Kamble said.

While summer usually begins in March, the IMD does not officially designate a specific date for the end of winter and the start of the hot season.

The IMD forecasts that high temperatures will continue for the next few days, with a peak of 37°C expected on February 22. However, a slight cooling trend may occur after Thursday as the anticyclonic system weakens.