Mumbai's hottest June night recorded as monsoon delayed
What's the story
Mumbai has been experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with the city recording its hottest June night on Friday. The minimum temperature did not drop below 30.2 degrees Celsius, a record that was also matched by Harnai along the Maharashtra coast. This unusual nighttime heat is attributed to the delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon over Maharashtra.
Weather forecast
Monsoon expected to reach Mumbai by June 25
The India Meteorological Department(IMD) now predicts the southwest monsoon will reach Mumbai by June 25. However, private forecaster Skymet has warned of a possible further delay. Skymet President GP Sharma said there are no good signs for the monsoon to advance from the western front, and it could take another 10 days to arrive in Mumbai.
Weather impact
Why is the monsoon delay?
The monsoon was initially expected to reach Mumbai around June 10-11. However, its advance along the western coast has been stalled since June 8. Normally, monsoon clouds and rain help keep temperatures down and cool nights. But this year, clear skies with no sustained rainfall have allowed heat and humidity to build up over the city.
Weather systems
Factors contributing to the delay
Dry air from central India and weak weather systems over the Arabian Sea have stalled the monsoon's advance. This has prevented rain-bearing clouds from forming over Maharashtra as they usually do by this time in June. Forecast models indicate scattered showers in the next few days, but sustained rainfall is still awaited, India Today reported.