Climate of Mumbai
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
The climate of Mumbai is tropical, with defined wet and dry seasons (Köppen: Aw/Am). The mean annual temperature is {{convert|27.7|°C|1|disp=or}}. Average annual rainfall is {{convert|2213.4|mm|in|0|disp=or}} in Colaba, which represents South Mumbai and {{convert|2502.3|mm|in|0|disp=or}} in Santacruz, which represents central and suburban Mumbai. The mean maximum average temperatures is about {{convert|32|°C}} in summer and {{convert|30|°C}} in winter, while the average minimums are {{convert|26|°C}} in summer and {{convert|18|°C}} in winter. The city experiences a lengthy, practically rainless dry season, and a relatively short, but extremely rainy wet season; due to the Southwest Monsoon and orographic influences from the nearby Western Ghats.These conditions effectively place Mumbai between a Tropical monsoon climate (Am) and a Tropical savannah climate (Aw), with more tilt towards the former considering annual precipitation.
Climate data
{{Mumbai weatherbox}}
{{Weather box
| location = Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, located in Santacruz) 1991–2020, extremes 1951–2012)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 37.4
| Feb record high C = 39.6
| Mar record high C = 41.7
| Apr record high C = 42.2
| May record high C = 41.0
| Jun record high C = 39.8
| Jul record high C = 36.2
| Aug record high C = 33.5
| Sep record high C = 37.0
| Oct record high C = 38.6
| Nov record high C = 37.6
| Dec record high C = 39.8
| year record high C = 42.2
| Jan high C = 31.2
| Feb high C = 31.7
| Mar high C = 32.7
| Apr high C = 33.3
| May high C = 34.3
| Jun high C = 34.8
| Jul high C = 29.4
| Aug high C = 29.0
| Sep high C = 30.9
| Oct high C = 34.9
| Nov high C = 34.5
| Dec high C = 32.3
| year high C = 32.4
| Jan low C = 19.8
| Feb low C = 23.2
| Mar low C = 23.4
| Apr low C = 25.6
| May low C = 29.3
| Jun low C = 29.5
| Jul low C = 27.7
| Aug low C = 27.3
| Sep low C = 27.1
| Oct low C = 27.7
| Nov low C = 26.2
| Dec low C = 24.0
| year low C = 24
| Jan record low C = 7.4
| Feb record low C = 8.5
| Mar record low C = 12.7
| Apr record low C = 16.9
| May record low C = 20.2
| Jun record low C = 19.8
| Jul record low C = 21.2
| Aug record low C = 19.4
| Sep record low C = 20.7
| Oct record low C = 16.7
| Nov record low C = 13.3
| Dec record low C = 10.6
| year record low C = 7.4
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 0.2
| Feb rain mm = 0.2
| Mar rain mm = 0.1
| Apr rain mm = 0.1
| May rain mm = 7.3
| Jun rain mm = 526.3
| Jul rain mm = 919.9
| Aug rain mm = 560.8
| Sep rain mm = 383.5
| Oct rain mm = 91.3
| Nov rain mm = 11.0
| Dec rain mm = 1.6
| year rain mm = 2502.3
| Jan rain days = 0.0
| Feb rain days = 0.0
| Mar rain days = 0.1
| Apr rain days = 0.0
| May rain days = 0.7
| Jun rain days = 14.0
| Jul rain days = 23.3
| Aug rain days = 21.4
| Sep rain days = 14.4
| Oct rain days = 3.9
| Nov rain days = 0.6
| Dec rain days = 0.2
| year rain days = 78.6
| time day = 17:30 IST
| Jan humidity = 49
| Feb humidity = 47
| Mar humidity = 51
| Apr humidity = 59
| May humidity = 65
| Jun humidity = 74
| Jul humidity = 81
| Aug humidity = 81
| Sep humidity = 76
| Oct humidity = 63
| Nov humidity = 56
| Dec humidity = 51
| year humidity = 63
| source 1 = India Meteorological Department
{{cite web
| url = https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=43003
| title = Climatological Information
| website = cdsp.imdpune.gov.in
| access-date = 9 July 2022
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M146
| access-date = 1 March 2020}}
| source =
}}
=Sea temperature=
| class="wikitable"
|+Mumbai sea temperature{{cite web|title=Mumbai Climate and Weather Averages, India|url=http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/india/mumbai.php|publisher=Weather2Travel|access-date=25 June 2013}} |
| Jan
!Feb !Mar !Apr !May !Jun !Jul !Aug !Sep !Oct !Nov !Dec |
|---|
| {{convert|27|°C}}
|{{convert|25|°C}} |{{convert|26|°C}} |{{convert|27|°C}} |{{convert|29|°C}} |{{convert|29|°C}} |{{convert|30|°C}} |{{convert|28|°C}} |{{convert|28|°C}} |{{convert|29|°C}} |{{convert|28|°C}} |{{convert|26|°C}} |
Monthly breakdown of climate
The following is the monthly breakdown of the weather in Mumbai.
=January =
January is the coolest month of the year for Mumbai with the mean daily minimum being 16.4 °C and the mean daily maximum being 30.1 °C.{{cite web |url=http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/climate/mumbai1.htm |title=India Metrological Dept: Mumbai |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405064431/http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/climate/mumbai1.htm |archive-date=5 April 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/physical/climate/|title=Tata Institute of Fundamental Research- Mumbai:Climate|date=8 August 2005}} The nightly lows may vary between 13 °C and 20 °C. Chilly northern winds during the day make the city seem cooler than it is. Generally, clear skies, with some smog – especially in the early morning – are the norm. The days are dry, the nights relatively humid. January is also associated with the deciduous trees in the city shedding their leaves. 26–27 January 2008 recorded a minimum temperature of 10.2 °C, which is the lowest recorded in 45 years. The lowest recorded temperature is 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) on 22 January 1962 which was the coldest day in Mumbai. Coastal areas are relatively cooler during the day, but they are warmer at night.
=February=
The fine January weather continues for the first fortnight of February. The mean daily minimum stays at 17.3 °C and the mean daily maximum is 31.3 °C with some possibility of unseasonable showers. Smog increases. 6 February 2008 recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4 °C. Just two days later, on 8 February, the minimum temperature recorded was 8.5 °C, which was the lowest temperature Mumbai had seen since January 1962.{{cite web| url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Mumbai-records-lowest-temperature-in-46-years/270724/|title=Mumbai records lowest temperature in 46 years}}
=March=
The month of March sees a mean minimum temp of 20.6 °C and a mean maximum temp of 32.7 °C. During the transition from dry to humid weather in mid-March, the temperature might hit 38 to 40 °C. This high, however, is due to hot dry winds from Gujarat. By mid-March the temperatures may hit 37 °C, with the lows at 24 °C. Humidity is unbearable, and smog affects the city. New leaves sprout from deciduous trees. The all-time high day temperature for March was recorded in 2018 at 41.7 °C.{{cite news|url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/monday-was-second-hottest-march-day-in-mumbai-since-2014/story-U7sBfbbYr8NmbCWTWcmrNN.html|title=Monday was second-hottest March day in Mumbai since 2014|author=Badri Chatterjee|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=29 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}
=April=
The temperatures and humidity are still high. However, the cooling effect of the sea breezes makes its presence felt. The high temperature stays around 35.1 °C and daily lows are around 23.2 °C. Plants are in full bloom in April.
=May=
=June=
June marks the beginning of the monsoon period in Mumbai. The beginning of the month is characterized by a continuation of the summer with increased humidity. The official date for the monsoon to hit the city is 10 June.{{cite news|title=South-west monsoon might not keep its usual June 10 date with Mumbai|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/South-west-monsoon-might-not-keep-its-usual-June-10-date-with-Mumbai/articleshow/52662461.cms|access-date=2 July 2016|work=The Times of India|date=9 June 2016|location=Mumbai}} This period is marked by thunderstorms and often windy conditions as the monsoon establishes itself over the city. Rainfall activity intensifies as the month goes on, leading into the wettest month, July. The max and min mean daily temperatures are measured at 31.9 °C/26.6 °C.
=July=
In this month the city receives the maximum amount of rain. July and August are characterized by almost non-stop rain and weeks of no sunshine. A continuous monsoon current covers the entire western coast of India during this period. Rainfall activity is less stormy and more constant with a relatively constant breeze from the West or South West. It is not uncommon for parts of the city to be waterlogged during periods of persistent heavy rain. This affects the city's public transport system often leading to long delays. During periods of severe precipitation, the city's commuter rail system is often suspended because of water logging and poor visibility.
The average maximum temperature for the month is around 29.8 °C with the average minimum at 25.5 °C. Average monthly rainfall is 919.9 mm in Santacruz and 768.5 mm in Colaba.{{Cite web |title=Climatological Tables 1991-2020 |url=https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |url-status= |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=www.imdpune.gov.in}} The highest 24-hour rainfall in the history of Mumbai was recorded at the Santacruz observatory of the India Meteorological Department on 26 July 2005. On this day, a record 944 mm rainfall fell over the city, causing large-scale flooding, claiming several lives and causing large-scale property damage.{{cite book|last=Fairclough|first=Chris|title=Mumbai|page=28|isbn=978-0-237-53125-6|year=2007|publisher=Evans|location=London}}
=August=
=September=
In September the intensity of rainfall decreases. The monsoons officially end in the 3rd week of September. September has unsettled weather. The rainfall is short and light and is not continuous. The end of the monsoon, much like the beginning can feature heavy thunderstorms associated with the withdrawal of the monsoon current from the city and surrounding areas. The mean maximum daily temperatures reach 30.1 °C while daily mean minimum temperature stays at 24.0 °C.
=October=
=November=
=December=
Climate change
As climate change and global warming are issues of rapidly increasing importance, the Mumbai Government launched the Mumbai Climate Action Plan to tackle climate change and extreme weather events.{{Cite web |title=Mumbai: All you need to know about first-ever climate action plan dedicated to the city |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-all-you-need-to-know-about-first-ever-climate-action-plan-dedicated-to-the-city |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}
Cyclones in Mumbai
Sitting on the coast, Mumbai is vulnerable to cyclones, but as the cyclones in the Arabian Sea turn to the Arabian Peninsula or Gujarat, Mumbai stands less affected.{{Cite web|date=June 3, 2020|first=Prabhash K.|last=Dutta|title=Nisarga, an exception: Why Mumbai does not get cyclones|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nisarga-an-exception-why-mumbai-does-not-get-cyclones-1684957-2020-06-03|access-date=2021-06-21|website=India Today|language=en}} Cyclones that have affected Mumbai include 1618,{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title='The bay was strewn with shipwrecks': A short history of Mumbai storms in the 18th, 19th centuries|url=https://scroll.in/article/963620/the-bay-was-strewn-with-shipwrecks-a-short-history-of-mumbai-storms-in-the-18th-19th-centuries|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Scroll.in|date=2 June 2020 |language=en-US}} 1698, 1702, 1740, 1742, 1762, 1799, 1854, 1882 (Which is believed to be a hoax), 1891{{Cite web|date=2020-06-03|title=Nisarga, Mumbai's first cyclone since 1891, poised to make landfall|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/030620/nisarga-mumbais-first-cyclone-since-1891-poised-to-make-landfall.html|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}} 1940 {{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=Cyclone Nisarga is not the 1st Cyclone for Mumbai, lets see the 1940 & 1948 Cyclones|url=https://www.tamilnaduweatherman.in/2020/06/02/cyclone-nisarga-is-not-the-1st-cyclone-for-mumbai-lets-see-the-1940-1948-cyclones/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Tamil Nadu Weatherman|language=en-US|archive-date=16 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043025/https://www.tamilnaduweatherman.in/2020/06/02/cyclone-nisarga-is-not-the-1st-cyclone-for-mumbai-lets-see-the-1940-1948-cyclones/|url-status=dead}} 1948,{{Cite web|date=June 3, 2020|title=When 20-hour storm paralysed Bombay: Old-timers recall fury of cyclone which hit Mumbai in 1948|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/when-20-hour-storm-paralysed-bombay-old-timers-recall-fury-of-cyclone-which-hit-mumbai-in-1948-1685017-2020-06-03|access-date=2021-06-21|website=India Today|language=en}} Cyclone Phyan,{{Cite news|last=Inamdar|first=Siddhesh|date=2009-11-11|title=Cyclone Phyan lashes Gujarat, Maharashtra|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Cyclone-Phyan-lashes-Gujarat-Maharashtra/article16891602.ece|access-date=2021-06-21|issn=0971-751X}} Cyclone Ockhi,{{Cite web|date=2017-12-05|title=Cyclone Ockhi: Mumbai Records Highest 24-hour December Rain in a Decade|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/cyclone-ockhi-mumbai-recorded-highest-24-hour-december-rain-in-a-decade-city-on-high-alert-2714190/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=India News, Breaking News {{!}} India.com|language=en}} Cyclone Vayu,{{Cite news|last=Deshpande|first=Tanvi|date=2019-06-12|title=Cyclone Vayu: Mumbai experiences strong winds, moderate rain on Wednesday|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/cyclone-vayu-windy-wednesday-for-mumbai/article27849544.ece|access-date=2021-06-21|issn=0971-751X}} Cyclone Nisarga, and Cyclone Tauktae.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-17|title=Cyclone Tauktae batters Mumbai, airport closed temporarily|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cyclone-tauktae-mumbai-rain-weather-update-7318766/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}
The strongest cyclone ever recorded to hit Mumbai is the 1948 Mumbai Cyclone, which hit the city on November 21, 1948. Gusts in Juhu reached 151 km/h, torrential rains lashed the city reaching 5 inches in only 24 hours. Flooding occurred due to heavy rains, the city power supply was disrupted. The cyclone left 38 people dead and 47 missing, Local transport came to a standstill {{Cite web|title=Cyclone Nisarga: When 1948 November storm left 38 dead and 47 missing in Bombay|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/cyclone-nisarga-when-1948-november-storm-left-38-dead-and-47-missing-in-bombay|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=1948-11-23|title=Cyclone hits Bombay; isolates city|pages=1|work=Argus|location=Melbourne, Vic.|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22707765|access-date=2021-06-21}}
In recent times, Cyclone Tauktae battered Mumbai, reaching gusts of 114 km/h with heavy rains. The storm was catastrophic, and flight operations at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport halted for hours due to the cyclone.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=Mumbai sees record May rains due to Tauktae - OrissaPOST|url=https://www.orissapost.com/cyclone-tautkae-brings-record-may-rains-mayhem-in-mumbai/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Odisha News, Odisha Latest News, Odisha Daily - OrissaPOST|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=Tauktae effect: Mumbai records wettest day in May|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tauktae-cyclone-in-india-7320434/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}