After chilly spell, mercury shoots up to 36C on Sat

MUMBAI: After three days of low temperature and chilly winds, Mumbai spent a hot Saturday, when the maximum temperature soared to 36 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature recorded in the city rose by four degrees and the maximum remained about five degrees above normal.
While the weather bureau assured that winter was not yet over in Mumbai, the city may go through a yo-yo condition, with certain days staying cool and the mercury rising on others.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the minimum temperature recorded in Santa Cruz on Saturady was 14.6 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal, and that in Colaba 18.5 degrees C, two degrees below normal. But what had the Mumbaikars sweating were the maximum readings: 36 degrees Celsius recorded in Santa Cruz and 33.8 degrees Celsius in Colaba, both around five degrees above normal.
“The effect of the Northerly winds is now minimum,” said IMD director Vishambhar Singh. He explained that the cold spell was due to the winds blowing from the northern landmass. “But now, the city is being affected by the Easterly winds, which are hot and dry. As a result, the temperature has started rising again,” he said.
The weather department has predicted that Mumbai may have to bear with the heat till another spell of Western Disturbances hits the northern parts of India. “At least for the next two days, the weather is likely to remain similar. Minimum temperature may rise by one or two degrees, while the maximum temperature mat stay stable,” said a weather official, adding that another spell of Western Disturbance was likely to hit the northern regions in a few days, which could bring down the temperature.