Colaba hits 37.4°C, its hottest October day in at least 13 years

Colaba reached 37.4°C on Friday, its highest October maximum temperature since at least 2013 and 5.6°C above normal.

The South Mumbai observatory also logged a minimum of 27.5°C at 5.30am, 2.2°C above normal. At Santacruz, Mumbai’s suburban observatory, the maximum was 36.9°C, or 4.6°C above normal; its minimum temperature was 25.7°C.

Sushma Nair, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai, linked the spike to the transition during monsoon withdrawal. Westerly winds are shifting to easterlies, delaying the sea breeze, while an anti-cyclone near Mumbai has also contributed to the heat, she said.

The monsoon is expected to withdraw from Mumbai within a day or two. On Saturday, the IMD forecast generally clear skies and a maximum of about 35°C. Daytime temperatures may stay between 35°C and 37°C over the following two to three days, with no rain alert issued for the coming week.