Maharashtra Cold Wave Today: IMD Issues Yellow Alert for 6 Districts Including Pune and Nashik; Temperatures Plunge to 8°C as Winter Intensifies
PUNE: Maharashtra is currently in the grip of a severe winter chill as cold, dry northerly winds sweep across the state, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for several districts including Pune, Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, and Ahilyanagar. As of December 22, 2025, the cold wave in Maharashtra has reached a new peak this season, with temperatures in several pockets of Madhya Maharashtra dropping significantly below the normal range. The bite of the wind is most palpable in North Maharashtra and the interior districts, where single-digit minimums have become the norm over the last 48 hours.
Pune Temperature Today: Pashan and Shivajinagar Shiver
In Pune, the mercury has taken a sharp dive, making it one of the coldest starts to the week this December. According to real-time data from localized weather stations, Pashan recorded a low of 8.0°C, while Shivajinagar followed closely at 8.6°C.
The chill is widespread across the district, with several other areas recording single-digit temperatures:
- Talegaon: 9.1°C
- Baramati: 9.3°C
- Malin: 8.9°C
- Hadapsar: 11.1°C
While the mornings are biting, the clear skies have led to unseasonably warm afternoons, with maximum temperatures touching nearly 30°C. This sharp diurnal temperature variation is typical of the current atmospheric stability, which has also resulted in a persistent early-morning haze over the city.
IMD Yellow Alert: Severe Chill in North Maharashtra
The IMD’s Maharashtra weather update highlights that the most intense conditions are concentrated in the northern belt. A yellow alert remains in place for Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, and Nashik, where the mercury has consistently dipped to between 4°C and 7°C.
Niphad (Nashik), often referred to as the “Maharashtra’s Kashmir,” continues to be the coldest spot in the state, with temperatures hovering near the 4.5°C to 5.5°C mark. The extreme cold has raised significant alarms for the region’s agricultural sector, particularly for grape and onion farmers.
Why is Maharashtra experiencing a Cold Wave?
Meteorologists attribute this intensifying cold wave to a strong influx of cold and dry winds from North India. “A strengthening seasonal anticyclone over Rajasthan is steering these northerly winds directly into Maharashtra,” an IMD official stated. The absence of cloud cover allows for rapid radiational cooling at night, causing the ground heat to escape quickly into the atmosphere.
Impact on Agriculture and Health
The lowest temperature in Niphad and surrounding Nashik districts has threatened the harvest cycle for vineyards. Growers are reportedly using bonfires (shekoti) and drip irrigation to protect sensitive grape berries from cracking due to the cold.
On the health front, the sudden drop has led to a spike in seasonal ailments. Doctors in Pune and Nashik have reported an uptick in cases of respiratory issues, viral fever, and “walking pneumonia” (Mycoplasma infections), advising residents, especially the elderly and children, to avoid exposure during late-night and early-morning hours.
Forecast: When will the Cold Wave end?
The IMD weather warning for Pune and surrounding areas suggests that these conditions will persist for the next 24 to 48 hours. However, relief is on the horizon. A gradual rise in minimum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius is expected after December 24, as the wind pattern shifts due to an approaching Western Disturbance in the north.
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