Summer is almost here, Mumbai sweats at 38.1 degree Celsius

The temperature in the city is five degrees above normal, according to the IMD. Representational pic

Mumbai on Thursday recorded a maximum temperature of 38.1 degree Celsius, which is an indicator of arrival of summer. Though the temperature was slightly lower last March, at 37.5 degree Celsius, the city usually witnesses a maximum temperature of 38 to 40 degree Celsius in the month.

March is the month of transition of season from winter to summer when the winds change their direction and maximum temperatures increase above 35 degrees. On Thursday, Santacruz recorded a maximum temperature of 38.1 degree Celsius. In 2020, the maximum temperature was 37.5 degrees Celsius.

In the last decade, maximum temperature in the city was beyond 40 degrees Celsius in March at least five times. The highest March recorded in 2011 when the maximum temperature soared at 41.3 degrees on March 17. The all-time highest temperature recorded was 41.7 degrees on March 28, 1956.

"Though the maximum temperature is five degrees above normal, and over 35 degrees which is a criteria for heat waves in coastal cities, it cannot be termed as a heat wave. This condition needs to be sustained for more than one day to be called a heat wave," said an official with the India Meteorological Department (IMD).