Panaji records 29°C night on Monday as humidity pushes up discomfort
Panaji: Goa experienced one of its warmest May nights since 2012 as the temperature in Panaji touched 29°C on Monday, 2.5°C above the normal minimum temperature of 26.5°C for this time of the year.
As per data, it is the seventh instance since 2016 that night temperatures have entered the 29°C range.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a minimum temperature of 28°C was recorded on Monday.
The unusually warm nights have increased discomfort across Goa amid humid conditions.
As per IMD data, the highest minimum temperatures recorded in May were 29.3°C on May 7 and May 20 in 2020, 29°C on May 14, 2017, 29.3°C on May 20, 2016, 28.7°C on May 22, 2015, 28.2°C on May 2, 2013, and 28.1°C on May 8, 2018.
Night temperatures have steadily risen over the past week. IMD figures showed the minimum temperature was 26.8°C on May 5, rose to 27.4°C on May 6, dipped slightly to 26.5°C on May 7, increased to 27°C on May 8, climbed again to 27.4°C on May 9, settled at 26.3°C on May 10 and then peaked at 29°C on May 11.
IMD officials attributed the unusually high night temperatures to persistent humidity and weak night time cooling conditions.
“Cloudiness and moisture retention over the coastal belt are preventing temperatures from falling significantly during night hours,” an IMD official said.
The IMD has forecast continued hot and humid conditions over Goa in the coming days, with maximum temperatures likely to remain between 35°C and 36°C and minimum temperatures hovering around 27°C to 28°C.
Light rain or thundershowers are also likely at isolated places during late afternoon or evening hours, while mainly dry and sunny conditions are expected later in the week.
