Pune: City records hottest January day since 2009 with temperatures soaring to 34.6°C
The city has recorded a maximum temperature of 34.6°C on Saturday, marking its hottest January day since 2009, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The previous record for January was also 34.6°C, observed on January 31, 2009. Pune’s all-time January high remains 35.3°C, noted on January 27, 2009.
This year, January has deviated from its usual winter chill, with private weather experts predicting it may rank among the warmest on record. Weather scientists explained that the unusual heat is due to an anticyclonic circulation over central India, including Maharashtra. This weather system, extending from lower to mid-tropospheric levels, is leading to air subsidence, pushing daytime and nighttime temperatures higher.
They further commented, “The circulation is likely to persist for the next three to four days, keeping temperatures elevated. After that, we anticipate a drop in both minimum and maximum temperatures.”
The heatwave extends beyond Pune to other regions in Maharashtra. Mumbai’s Santacruz registered a maximum temperature of 34.5°C, about 4°C above normal, while Ratnagiri faced sweltering heat at 36.1°C, which was 4.9°C above average. Pune’s temperature of 34.6°C was 4.2°C above the seasonal norm, and the city’s Lohgaon area reported a minimum of 17.7°C, 6.6°C higher than usual.
Data from Pune district also reflects the intensity of the heat. Shirur recorded the highest maximum at 37.6°C, followed by Dapodi (37.5°C), and Koregaon Park (37.3°C). Other notable areas include Rajgurunagar (36.9°C), Talegaon and Girivan (both 34.9°C), and Shivajinagar and Wadgaon Sheri (both 34.6°C). In contrast, some regions such as Magarpatta and NDA reported relatively lower temperatures at 34.1°C, and Nimdiri recorded the lowest at 31.7°C.
While a dip in temperatures is expected later this week, the ongoing heatwave underscores a stark deviation from Pune’s typical winter pattern.
