January 2025 has been noted as Mumbai’s hottest month on record, with the Santacruz Observatory recording an average maximum temperature of 33.2°C, surpassing the previous high of 32.9°C set in 2009. This marks a clear departure from the usual January average of 31.2°C. While Mumbaikars are accustomed to relatively warm winters, this year’s relentless heat has raised serious concerns about shifting weather patterns.
According to The Weather Channel, the intense daytime heat contrasted sharply with the cooler nights. The month’s minimum temperature averaged 18.5°C, slightly above the typical 17.3°C, with the chilliest night dipping to 13.7°C on January 9.
Meteorologists attribute this extreme weather to the absence of sufficient western disturbances. These weather systems were absent this year, which bring cool northern winds to the city. Instead, a persistent high-pressure system or anti-cyclone over central India directed warm easterly winds over Mumbai. Further, IMD has confirmed that January 2025 was the third warmest January in India since records began in 1901.
With February already forecast to be warmer than usual, experts are warning of more unseasonal heatwaves on the horizon.
