Pune: Unprecedented Early March Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Close to 40°C
Pune and its surrounding areas are experiencing an unprecedented early March heatwave, with temperatures inching closer to the 40°C mark. On Monday, Lohegaon recorded a scorching 39.6°C, while Rajgurunagar reached 38.5°C. Other areas, including Talegaon and Dudulgaon, registered 38.4°C.
According to a meteorological expert from the Vagaries of Weather blog, locations like Lohegaon are likely to be among the first to hit 40°C soon. “The early heat in March is concerning, especially with temperatures approaching 40°C sooner than expected,” the expert said. IMD data revealed that Shivajinagar’s average maximum temperature in February was 34.9°C, marking the hottest February in over a decade.
On Tuesday, Shirur emerged as the hottest spot in the Pune region, recording a peak temperature of 37.9°C. Other areas like Rajgurunagar, Dudulgaon, and Chinchwad trailed closely at 37.7°C. Meanwhile, Talegaon experienced the coolest minimum temperature in the region at 13.5°C, while Lohegaon and Chinchwad recorded uncomfortable minimums of 21.4°C and 21.8°C, respectively.
The urban heat island effect is exacerbating temperatures in developed and concreted areas, with Chinchwad (38.2°C), Lavale (38.1°C), and Wadgaonsheri (37.9°C) recording higher temperatures than other locations on Monday. Lavale also registered the highest minimum temperature in the Pune region at 23.9°C on Tuesday.
SD Sanap, an IMD scientist, noted a slight temperature drop on Tuesday, with Lohegaon’s temperature decreasing from 39°C to 38.5°C. However, he added that no significant change is expected in the coming days. Independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak highlighted that March marks the transition into summer, with Maharashtra typically witnessing temperatures climbing to 40°C and beyond. He predicted that Pune could hit its first 40°C mark between March 10 and 12.
Solapur was the hottest in Maharashtra on Tuesday, recording 39.4°C, while Vidarbha’s Chandrapur, Akola, and Bramhapuri registered 39°C, 38.5°C, and 38.2°C, respectively.
