28th February...Post

We see the air quality for Mumbai and throughout Western Maharashtra, improving to "Satisfactory Levels".

And,we hear and read many possible reasons from "1000 constructions stopped in Mumbai " to " more running of EVs"..could not be more impractical than realistical.

And these conclusions improve the AQI all over Western Maharashtra!

Well, this is not new...the real reason is meteorological changes.

Basically the main meteorological factors that are required for cleaner air are:

1) Strong winds in lower 2 km of the atmosphere 

2)No temperature inversion 

3)Rain

While rain can be the most effective, Strong winds help disperse the particulate matter and ensure clear skies and high visibility even if there is some temperature inversion at night.

The main thing that changed across western Maharashtra from 25th Feb to 26th Feb was increased wind speed which ensured that no dust or particulate matter gets trapped and stagnated in the lower 1-2 km of the atmosphere. 

This is the main reason for improved AQI and good visibility.

Currently, Mumbai ranks among the cleanest cities in the country at 6 PM as per live AQI data from IQAir. Along with Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and NaviMumbai are also featuring in the top 10 cleanest cities list — notably without any rainfall activity.

This clearly shows how meteorological conditions play a dominant role in air quality. Despite being regions with intense urbanisation and ongoing construction activity, air quality has improved significantly due to stronger winds and better atmospheric mixing caused by an active weather system, which dispersed accumulated pollutants.

At the same time, several non-metro towns with comparatively lower construction activity are appearing in the top polluted list. This highlights an important scientific reality:

Pollution levels are not determined only by construction or urban density, but largely by local weather conditions, ventilation, and atmospheric stability.

When ventilation improves, even dense metros can record clean air; when calm and stable conditions persist, pollution can build up even in smaller cities. Weather decides dispersion — emissions alone don’t explain day-to-day AQI swings

Now, next week, all the " Constructions" will restart and Mumbai AQI will increase to around 170 levels.

NE winds will commence and heat will increase...Full report on Sunday 1st March ( night). 

 27th February 2026

Pic by Vagarian Ganesh 

Some News we never get to read...( its not dramatic)...

Mumbai AQI improves even further..

Crystal skies in Mumbai..

 24th February 

Running sequence of Day Temperature today..The top 5 today

Air Quality Index:

Mumbai Air Quality Today

 

Who is tricking who ?

Press or Pollution?

Or

 

Winter storm: Blizzard Northeast with Heavy snow:  See Here

Record After Record: J&K Sizzles Under Historic Heat

Heat records continue to shatter in J&K on 22 February

Qazigund: 21.5c (11.4c above normal), this is the highest temperature in February in history.

Pahalgam: 17.5c (+10c), highest in February after 2016, 2nd highest in history

Kupwara: 20.8c (+10.7c), highest in February after 2020.

The Other Places 

Data: IMD

History Rewritten: Multiple J&K Locations Smash All Time February Temperature Records

Mumbai & Pune saw the hottest day of 2026 on 21st February..

Mumbai recording 36.3° ( 4.3° above the normal for this time), and Pune seeing 34.6°.

Mumbai was the 9th hottest place in India.

Places in Jammu and Kashmir that have broken all time record of the  highest temperature in February:

Srinagar: 21c (10c above normal; 21 Feb)

Gulmarg: 11.6c (9.6c above normal; 20 Feb)

Qazigund: 21c (11c above normal, 20 Feb)

Some FAQs on the so called "unusual heat" answered. 

[February: In exceptionally warm years, parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana can hit 40°C by the last week of February. For instance, in 2023, several locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat recorded temperatures close to or at 40°C as early as February 12-16.] 

India's Earliest 40°c as per Vagaries' Records was on: 16th February 2023 in Bhuj.. 40.4°c

So, 2026 is not a record Heat February ( no panic) .. 40° Still few days away. 

2026 performance till date👇

 Down to Earth analysis

Regional Breakdown of Gridded Heat

Region	Current Grid Range (Feb 2026)	Trend vs. Normal
Northwest India	25–30°C	Appreciably Above Normal (+3-5°C)
Central India	30–35°C	Above Normal (+2-3°C)
South Peninsula	35–38°C	Near Normal to Slightly Above

 17th February

Mostly Dry weather in the country due to absence of any systems. Convergence of local winds may bring light thundershowers around Delhi NCR.

Delhi: Light rains on 18th. Day's maximum around 28/30°and nights at 15/16°.

City Outlook for next 4 days till 20th February. 

Mumbai : Warm and hazy day. Moderate North winds will prevent extreme heat, keeping temperature within 32° in the day. Nights around 20/21°. AQI : 120

Pune: Warm and hazy. Day warm at 34° and minimum around 16° (not cold). AQI :150

Sambhajinagar :Temperatures between 33° and 16°. AQI : 110.

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#T20worldcup

Rainfall expected in Colombo on 18th/19th/20th. 

From Sweaters to Sweat: Delhi Logs Earliest 30°C Day in Over a Decade

 Delhi Safdarjung recorded 31.6c on 16 Feb, which is 7.2c above normal. This is the earliest occurrence of +30c temperature in a calendar year at least since 2011. Data: IMD

 15th February..Day's Temperatures 

India's Hottest:

India's Coldest:

Maharashtra Hottest: Mumbai at 35.2°

Gujarat Hottest: Deesa 35.8°

 Mumbai & Pune Weather performance in 1-14 February Period 2026.

Pune:

14th:Temperatures Max 32.7° Min 14.0°

Mumbai:

Temperatures on 14th Max 33.8° Mim 19.9°

All India Toppers on 14th February

 

13th February 

Weekend Outlook for Mumbai & Pune 

Scanty Clouds and Haze.  East winds making days warmer.

Mumbai: Days warmer at 35/36°...warmer than last week’s 32°. 

Nights at 21/22°..against last week’s 19°.

Pune: Days at 33/34°..More than last week’s 31°.

Nights warmer at 16°.

 8th February:

After a Cold January, a steady temperature range is observed in NW and Central India. The absence of any strong Western Disturbance would likely result in the forecasted rise in day and night temperatures. Summer feel in the daytime starting a little earlier for Mumbai, Konkan, Goa and Gujarat

A gradual rise in day and night temperatures is expected in NW India. Central India and Northern peninsula Regions.

Mumbai: Gradual rise in day temperatures and Night temperatures. With a moderate increase in Humidity, some sweatiness in the afternoon could be experienced;

Expected temperature Range from 9th - 13th February will be around 34/25c - 21/22c at Santacruz and 34c-23/24c at Colaba.

Pune: Gradually getting warmer with some relief at night .Temperatures rang expected between 32c - 15c

.Mahabaleshwar: Sunny afternoons getting warm at 26c. Nights cooling down to 14/15c.

Sambhajinagar/Jalgaon: Steady Temperature ranging between 32c - 15c.

Goa: Ranging between 34c - 22c.

Surat/Bharuch: Warmer days at 34/35c and Nights at 18/19c.

New Delhi: Misty. Remaining pleasantly cold at 24/25c and nights at 10/12c.

(IMD)

Expected Day Temperature in the Week

(NCMRWF)

:Night Temperatures expected in the week

 4th February 

FOR REFERENCE 👉

NASA-ISRO Radar Mission Peers Through Clouds to See Mississippi River Delta

 4th February morning temperatures 

 See General Non Weather Page ...with new Info.

 3rd February Post:

Next Week warming up a bit in NW, Central and Peninsula India. 

Expected Temperatures Maps

 

Image Courtesy NCMRWF

Similarly,  3/4° rise in Night Temperature also.

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Mumbai: Outlook for 3rd - 7th February:

Hazy days, with high clouds. Days getting warmer to reach 34/35°. Comfort level low .

Nights too around 21/23°.

AIR Quality Index moderate ar 150/170.

Pune: Getting warmer and can reach 32°. Nights may not get cooler now and could be around 15°.

AIR Quality Index high around 170- 200.

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A pictorial summary of the actual Temperatures in end January