Pune: The city on Friday recorded the highest maximum temperature of the season so far as mercury soared to 40.4°C in Lohegaon and 38.5°C in Shivajinagar amid persistent dry and warm weather conditions across the region.According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, Lohegaon crossed the 40°C mark for the first time this season. Several other locations in Maharashtra also recorded very high temperatures. Solapur with a high of 40.4°C and Nagpur in Vidarbha at 40.6°C were among the hottest places in the state on Friday.The maximum temperature was close to the 40°C-mark on Friday in multiple locations in Pune, as Lohegaon and Shivajinagar logged the season’s highest. Pashan recorded 38.3°C, Lavale 38°C, Chinchwad 37.4°C and NDA 36.7°C, reflecting a steady rise over the past few days.Meteorological officials said the rise in temperature was because of dry and warm weather conditions prevailing over interior Maharashtra. Largely clear skies over the past couple of days allowed the daytime temperatures to climb steadily.“Clear sky conditions play a major role in the rise in daytime temperatures. The absence of cloud cover allows stronger solar radiation to reach the surface. When skies remain largely clear, more heat is absorbed by the ground during the day, leading to higher maximum temperatures. At the same time, dry air and low humidity over interior Maharashtra reduce the chances of cloud formation, allowing the heating to continue uninterrupted. This is why temperatures have been rising steadily over the past few days in parts of the state,” an IMD official said.Officials said the higher temperature in Lohegaon compared to Shivajinagar could be linked to rapid urbanisation in the area. Increasing built-up surfaces such as concrete structures and roads absorb and retain more heat during the day.An IMD forecast indicated that maximum temperatures were likely to increase further over parts of interior Maharashtra in the short term. “Gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 1–2°C over interior parts of Maharashtra is likely during the next 24 hours, followed by a gradual fall during the subsequent three days,” the forecast stated.It also said there would be no large change in minimum temperatures over the Maharashtra region during the next 48 hours, with a gradual rise thereafter. No major change in maximum temperature is expected in Vidarbha for the next four days, after which a fall of 2–4°C is likely in subsequent days. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged for the next five days.
