Mumbai was hottest Indian city on Sunday at blazing 39.4 degrees C

Mumbai was the hottest city in India, followed by Surat, on Sunday, recording the season's highest maximum temperature - 39.4 degrees Celsius. The mercury is expected to soar until Tuesday, meteorologists have predicted.

On Sunday, Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) Santacruz observatory, which represents the suburbs, recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius. On March 6, a maximum temperature of 39.3 degrees Celsius was recorded at the observatory. In fact, the maximum temperature recorded at Santacruz has been above 35 degrees since March 2. The Colaba observatory, which represents south Mumbai, recorded a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Surat, meanwhile, saw a maximum temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius.

Also read: Mumbai: It's only going to get hot, hotter, hottest, says IMD

Explaining the weather system in detail, Rajesh Kapadia of Vagaries of the Weather, a popular private weather blog, said, "The past 10 days in Mumbai have been hot and very hot. With above-normal temperatures to the extent of up to 6 degrees Celsius above average. All of this was attributed to the dominating easterly winds, which constantly kept the westerly sea winds or sea breeze at bay. Even the north winds, which could have provided relief, were missing due to the absence of western disturbances in the north. With a trough of low pressure developing in the interior Maharashtra region, the hot easterlies will cease to blow over Mumbai."

Kapadia added, "From Tuesday, March 14, Mumbai will witness some relief with a drop in temperature by at least 2 to 3 degrees, around the maximum temperature of 34/35 degrees Celsius likely. But, the sweat factor may increase, as the sea winds can increase humidity levels. A light drizzle is possible in some areas of the city on March 16." As per IMD and Vagaries of the Weather, Interior Maharashtra can witness rain and hail on March 15 and March 16.

Max temperature for past 11 days'
Day Temperature
March 2 35.5°C
March 3 35.5°C
March 4 37.0°C
March 5 38.1°C
March 6 39.3°C
March 7 35.8°C
March 8 35.9°C
March 9 37.9°C
March 10 37.5°C
March 11 38.5°C
March 12 39.4°C
' As per Santacruz observatory

35.8°c
Max temp recorded at Colaba on Sunday