Pune is colder than Mahabaleshwar and Lonavala; find out why?

Pune and its surrounding areas are experiencing an unusual cold wave, with temperatures dropping to record lows. On Friday, Pune recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5°C, while typically cooler destinations like Mahabaleshwar and Lonavala registered 10.5°C and 17.7°C respectively.

The temperatures across various locations in Pune have plunged dramatically. For instance, the National Defence Academy (NDA) recorded 8.2°C, Haveli (Loni Kalbhor) 9.1°C, Malin 9.6°C, Shivajinagar 9.7°C, and Pashan 9.9°C.

What's Causing the Cold Wave?

The unusual chill is linked to a severe low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, which is intensifying into Cyclone Fengal. Although Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and Kerala are expected to be directly impacted by the storm, its indirect effects are being felt as far as Maharashtra.

Senior meteorologist Anupam Kashyapi explained that the active flow of winds from the north, coupled with decreased humidity due to the cyclone, is intensifying the cold in Pune. This combination of factors has resulted in lower temperatures than those in Mahabaleshwar and Lonavala.

As Cyclone Fengal moves northwestward, humidity levels and temperatures are expected to drop further in Maharashtra and Central India, leading to more cold days ahead.