NT Reporter
Panaji
After a brief spell of night time chill earlier this month, night temperatures in Goa have begun to rise gradually, with the warming trend likely to continue over the next 48 hours, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Goa.
The minimum temperature, which had dipped to 19°C on December 15, rose to 19.8°C on December 16, and to 23 °C on December 17 — around 2°C above the normal minimum of 21°C for December. On December 18, the minimum temperature touched 20.8°C in Panaji, remaining slightly above normal.
The recent warming comes after an unusually cool phase earlier in the month.
The lowest minimum temperature of the season was recorded on December 12 at 17.5°C. IMD officials said that this was the seventh lowest minimum temperature in the range of 17°C and below recorded in December since 2010.
Meteorologists attributed the gradual rise in night temperatures to the prevailing easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere over Goa. These winds are reducing nocturnal cooling and preventing further sharp drops in temperature.
Additionally, the absence of strong northerly winds and clear indications of stable atmospheric conditions have contributed to the moderation in minimum temperatures.
As per IMD, dry weather will continue to prevail over the next few days, with shallow haze or mist likely at isolated places during early morning hours.
Minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 20–21°C over the next 48 hours, with no significant change thereafter, while maximum temperatures are likely to remain in the range of 33–34°C.
