Mumbai Weather Update: When Is Monsoon Arriving In The City? Here's What IMD Says
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Mumbai braces for a wet week with heavy rain and thunderstorms. The city recorded its wettest May since 2021 and may see an early monsoon.
Mumbai Weather Updates: Mumbai is preparing for a wet week ahead despite already experiencing its heaviest May rainfall in four years, driven by unusual showers.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert warning of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms across Mumbai and the broader Konkan region over the next four days. An orange alert has been issued for areas such as Raigad, Nashik, Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur, warning of potentially extremely heavy rainfall.
This May, Mumbai recorded over 85 mm of rain, marking its wettest May since 2021. The frequent rains also brought a significant drop in temperatures, with the city recording its coldest May day since 1951 on May 8.
Between May 6 and 11, Mumbai received intense rainfall, followed by a brief pause in heavy showers, though light drizzle persisted early Monday. Meanwhile, other parts of Maharashtra continued to grapple with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
When Is Monsoon Arriving In Mumbai?
Shubhangi Bhute, Director of IMD Mumbai, confirmed that pre-monsoon showers began in the city after May 13. Speaking to The Indian Express, Bhute indicated that Mumbai could experience an earlier-than-usual monsoon this year. Traditionally, the official monsoon onset date for Mumbai is June 11.
According to current forecasts, the Southwest Monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala by May 28, well ahead of its usual schedule. Following its arrival in Kerala, the monsoon typically takes around 8 to 10 days to reach Maharashtra and surrounding areas.
IMD official Shetty suggested that Mumbai might witness the onset of monsoon rains as early as the first week of June this year.
Bhute explained that the favorable conditions for an early monsoon are largely due to neutral phases of both the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
'At present, neutral El Niño and neutral IOD conditions prevail over the Indian Ocean. These neutral phases are likely to support robust monsoon activity and could lead to an earlier onset of the monsoon," Bhute told The Indian Express.
First Published:
May 20, 2025, 10:37 IST
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