Maharashtra is anticipated to experience a warmer October, as per the October temperature outlook issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday. The outlook suggests a higher probability of both daytime and nighttime temperatures being above normal during the month.
K S Hosalikar, Head of Climate Research and Services at IMD, Pune, explained, “We expect normal to above-normal maximum temperatures in most parts of the country. Additionally, minimum temperatures are predicted to be above normal across the country, except for some regions in northeastern India where normal minimum temperatures are expected.”
Hosalikar highlighted that the chances of higher-than-normal daytime temperatures are more significant in eastern coastal areas, northeastern states, east-central regions, and parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Conversely, parts of northwest India exhibit a higher likelihood of above-normal nighttime temperatures in October.
Regarding Maharashtra, Hosalikar noted, “There is a moderate probability of above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures during the month (approximately 55-65%). In the next few days, there is a possibility of significant rainfall in southern Maharashtra, leading to cloudy skies for a brief period.”
As the withdrawal of monsoon conditions approaches and skies clear up, there may be a rise in daytime temperatures. An expert mentioned, “Increased moisture content in the air can result in humid conditions in cities like Pune and Mumbai. Elevated daytime temperatures, combined with humidity during the monsoon’s withdrawal, may lead to mild discomfort and a higher heat index. The change of seasons can be somewhat challenging for the human body as it requires time to acclimate.”
In general, during El Niño years, temperatures tend to be higher. “Over the last three years, we experienced La Niña conditions, which were expected to bring lower temperatures. However, there were instances of record-breaking heat in northern regions of the country during that period. El Niño is expected to persist until the first quarter of 2024, with a peak anticipated around December this year. IMD will soon release a forecast providing insights into the expected temperature trends for the winter of 2023-24,” the expert added.