Written by Dipanita NathJanuary 2, 2026 08:14 PM IST 2 min readThe city also witnessed 18 consecutive mornings in December 2025 when minimum temperatures remained below 10 degrees Celsius. (Express Photo)Pune began 2026 on a warmer note, with the city recording a sharp rise in minimum temperatures. On January 2, the minimum temperature at the Shivajinagar weather station was 13.5 degrees Celsius, significantly higher than the 10.9 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier. Pashan was marginally cooler at 13 degrees Celsius. Hadapsar recorded a minimum of around 15 degrees Celsius, while Magarpatta, Chinchwad and Koregaon Park saw minimum temperatures of about 17 degrees Celsius.The rise is significant as 2025 ended with the coldest December in Pune across several parameters. The average minimum temperature for the month stood at 10.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest in more than a decade.The city also witnessed 18 consecutive mornings in December 2025 when minimum temperatures remained below 10 degrees Celsius. According to historical records of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune had experienced a similar cold spell in December 2013, when there were 16 consecutive days of single-digit minimum temperatures.The IMD has forecast a gradual warming trend over the coming days. The minimum temperature is expected to continue rising and touch 15 degrees Celsius by January 8. Day-time temperatures, too, are likely to increase from around 30 degrees Celsius on January 2 to 32 degrees Celsius by January 8.“This is quite a normal occurrence for this time of the year. The rise in minimum and maximum temperatures is, primarily, due to the weakening of the northerly dry and cold winds over the region, along with the increased influence of moist southeasterly winds,” said S D Sanap, scientist at IMD.A similar trend was observed last year as well, with January 2025 beginning with minimum temperatures around 13 degrees Celsius, which rose to about 15 degrees Celsius by the end of the first week.Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read MoreClick here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:pune