Day temperatures across state set to climb 2–3°; parts of Maharashtra may touch 37°C in Feb

Pune: Day temperatures across Maharashtra are set to rise sharply over the next two to three days, with some pockets likely to touch 36–37°C — levels more typical of early March — even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) ruled out any heatwave-like conditions for now.On Friday, Vidarbha continued to record the highest readings in the state.Brahmapuriin Vidarbha region was the hottest at 36.7°C, which was 3° above normal for this time of year. Akola and Amravati followed at 35.6°C and 35.8°C, respectively, with positive departures of 1.2° and 2.8°.In Marathwada,Parbhanirecorded 33.8°C (near normal), while Beed logged 33.3°C, 1.1° above normal.
In west and central Maharashtra, Pune (Shivajinagar) recorded a maximum of 33°C, marginally 0.3° below normal, while Lohegaon was warmer at 35.1°C, a sharp 1.8° above normal.Malegaon stood out with a departure of 5.5° above normal as its minimum temperature was a warm 18.4°C, and a maximum of 33.2°C,indicatinghow much warmer the nights have been compared to the seasonal average.In the Konkan belt, Mumbai recorded 31.8°C (1.2° above normal), while Ratnagiri was at 35.5°C, 3.5° above normal.The IMD has forecast a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2–3°overMaharashtra during the next two to three days.Minimum temperatures are likely to see nosignificant changeover the next four days.IMD scientist SD Sanap said temperatures may rise to 36–37°C in some locations but are unlikely to approach 40°C. "It will be around2-3°above normal at many places, but therewillnotbeheatwave-likeconditions. Around 36-37°Cin some locations can be expectedinthecomingdays," he said.Sanap attributed the current rise to seasonal transition and the dominance of easterly winds over the past few days, which have curtailed northerlycold airintrusion. "This time of the month, temperatures could have been around 28–30°C at some places, but they are crossing 33–34°C. So,departures look high, but absolute temperatures are not extremely high," he explained.He added that daytime temperatures are likely to ease after the next two to three days as weather patterns change.