A heatwave alert has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Navi Mumbai over the next three days. An IMD official stated that temperatures are currently six to seven degrees above normal, with Mumbai's temperature reaching 38.5 degrees in February, which is considered unusually high for this month.

An official informed CNBC-TV18 that temperatures are expected to increase by one or two degrees on Wednesday, February 26. Following this, temperatures may see a slight drop of 1-2 degrees on February 27 and 28. Despite the slight dip, the official mentioned that it would not provide any major relief from the high temperatures, which are expected to remain elevated for the time being.

Although no official communication has been released regarding the heatwave, weather stations like Santacruz have shown that heatwave conditions have been met. Sources quoted in the CNBC-TV18 report mentioned that the Konkan belt is also experiencing heat wave-like conditions.

IMD Scientist Dr. Soma Sen Roy, discussing the approaching Western disturbances in the North Indian region, stated, “Rainfall will begin to increase over the Western Himalayan region, and we have issued heavy rainfall warnings for February 26-28.”

The rising temperatures in Mumbai can be largely attributed to the delayed onset of the sea breeze. Typically, the sea breeze arrives around noon, helping to moderate daytime temperatures, but even a delay of just one hour can cause the mercury to climb by 2-3 degrees.

In recent days, hot northeasterly winds have been sweeping across the city in the afternoon, making the weather unbearably warm. Meteorologists forecast that temperatures in Mumbai will remain around or above 36 degrees on Tuesday, with high humidity adding to the discomfort. The heatwave is expected to continue for at least another week, leaving Mumbaikars to face the sweltering heat until the end of February.

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