Humid, hot weather to persist in Mumbai and Thane; rain likely to increase in South India

October has reached its last stretch in Maharashtra, yet there is little hope of relief from humidity and heat. Discomfort from the heat is expected to continue in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Nashik and parts of north Maharashtra. Those waiting for rain or cooler weather may have to put up with the humidity a little longer.

The heat is likely to be felt in Mumbai, Thane, Dahanu in Palghar district, Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ahilyanagar. In Mumbai and nearby coastal areas, high moisture in the air may make it feel more humid than the actual temperature suggests. Winds blowing in from the sea may offer some relief. But if these winds arrive late or are weak, people may have to endure discomfort.

According to Skymet weather expert Mahesh Palawat, an anticyclone has formed around Gujarat. In such a system, air descends from above to below. This can create conditions for the heat to linger.

Dry, hot winds coming from Gujarat into parts of Maharashtra may also affect temperatures. The effect may be seen especially in north Maharashtra and surrounding areas. In a coastal city like Mumbai, sea breezes may reduce the intensity of the heat somewhat, but if moisture stays high, the humidity will remain. People in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan may therefore have to bear not only the temperature but also the muggy weather.

A change that would bring major relief quickly to coastal Maharashtra is said to be unlikely. Even so, the weather need not be the same across all districts of the state. Temperature and rain prospects can vary with the direction of local winds, moisture and different weather systems.

People in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Nashik and north Maharashtra should keep an eye on the latest district-wise forecast of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to gauge the rain. They should also check whether an official rain warning has been issued. On the basis of the weather analysis currently available, it cannot be said with certainty that rain will fall everywhere in Maharashtra immediately or that cold weather will set in.

While humidity persists in Maharashtra, there are signs of increased rain activity in some southern states. If a low-pressure area forms in the Bay of Bengal, it could affect the weather in South India. Rain is expected to intensify in parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In Tamil Nadu in particular, the northeast monsoon may help make up some of the rain deficit.

The rain activity is also expected to shift from coastal areas towards the interior. But how much rain actually falls and how far it spreads will be known only from the official weather forecast.

When Maharashtra will get relief from the humidity depends on the weather in the coming days. The weather system around Gujarat, the direction of local winds and the moisture in the air could affect the state's weather. People should follow the latest updates from the weather department and draw conclusions about rain only on the basis of the official forecast.