The last time Shivajinagar woke up feeling so warm in May was in 2024. (File Photo)The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) weather station at Shivajinagar in Pune recorded on Wednesday the fourth-highest temperature for May since records started being maintained in 1969.Shivajinagar, which hosts the city’s main observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 27.4 degrees Celsius in the morning, which is 5.1 degrees above normal.The minimum temperature here has increased by 5.7 degrees Celsius in just three days, since 21.7 degrees Celsius was recorded on May 10.The last time Shivajinagar woke up feeling so warm in May was in 2024, when the morning temperature was 27.3 degrees Celsius. Last year, the warmest May morning was much cooler at 25.3 degrees Celsius.If it is any comfort, Shivajinagar’s record for the highest minimum temperature for May was 29.4 degrees Celsius on May 12, 1979. A day earlier that year, the minimum temperature was 28.2 degrees Celsius, the second-highest on record. It was decades later that the morning warmth in Shivajinagar would touch a new high, 28 degrees Celsius, on May 19, 2010.Mercury climbs across PuneThough Shivajinagar represents the official weather data of Pune, other parts of the city record different temperatures. Lohegaon has seen particularly hot mornings and days. On Wednesday, the minimum temperature here reached 29.2 degrees Celsius, which is a worrying 6.9 degrees Celsius above normal and far higher than the previous morning’s 27 degrees Celsius, which was already 4.7 degrees above normal.Other parts of Pune also remained unbearably hot. Hadapsar, Magarpatta, and Koregaon Park started the day as the warmest parts of the city, when the mercury soared to 28.8 degrees Celsius. Wadgaonsheri reached 28 degrees Celsius, marginally above the previous day’s minimum temperature, and Chinchwad recorded 27.1 degrees Celsius, which was higher than Tuesday’s morning temperature of 26.9 degrees Celsius.Story continues below this adThere was little respite even in the leafy neighbourhoods of the National Defence Academy and Pashan on Wednesday, as the morning temperature hit around 26.4 degrees Celsius, 4.6 degrees Celsius, and 2.2 degrees Celsius higher than the day before’s readings. It was similar at Lavale, which reported 24.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, up from 23.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.The IMD has said that central Maharashtra and Marathwada will experience a heatwave and warm night phenomenon until Thursday.A warm night is a term used to depict a condition in which the maximum temperature over a place is above 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is 4.5 -6.4 degrees Celsius above normal.According to the IMD, Pune’s minimum temperature will be between 21 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius in the next few days.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:IMDpune