If you stepped out of your house in Shivajinagar this morning, you probably felt that familiar bite in the air. But drive just fifteen minutes over to Koregaon Park or Magarpatta, and suddenly, that sweater feels like a terrible mistake. Honestly, the current temperature in Pune is doing that weird thing it always does in January—it's acting like three different cities at once.
Right now, as we hit the middle of January 2026, Pune is caught in a classic tug-of-war between lingering winter chills and a surprisingly aggressive afternoon sun. According to the latest data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) at Shivajinagar, the maximum temperature has been hovering around 31.7°C, which is nearly two degrees higher than what we usually expect this time of year. Meanwhile, the minimums are refusing to stay down, climbing back up to 16.3°C.
It’s a strange vibe.
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Why Pune feels like a furnace and a fridge on the same day
Most people think Pune weather is just "pleasant" in the winter. That's a bit of a lie. What we’re actually seeing right now is a massive "diurnal range"—that's just weather-speak for the gap between the hottest part of the day and the coldest part of the night.
Yesterday, January 14, 2026, the gap was nearly 15 degrees. You wake up needing a heavy blanket and by 2:00 PM you’re looking for the AC remote. This happens because of the clear skies. Without clouds to act like a cozy blanket, all the heat the ground absorbs during the day just zips straight back into space the second the sun goes down.
The "Concrete Jungle" effect is real
You might have noticed that your friend in Pashan is shivering while you’re perfectly fine in Hadapsar. This isn't just in your head. Local experts like Anupam Kashyapi have pointed out that urban growth is creating "heat islands" across the city.
- Shivajinagar and Pashan: These areas have more open space and greenery, so they cool down fast. They often record lows around 10°C to 11°C.
- Lohegaon and Magarpatta: These are packed with concrete, glass, and asphalt. These materials soak up heat like a sponge and hold onto it all night. The current temperature in Pune’s eastern hubs can be as much as 6 degrees warmer than the western side.
What the IMD is saying for the next few days
If you were hoping for a proper "cold wave" to justify buying that expensive North Face jacket, I’ve got some bad news. The IMD has basically ruled out a severe cold wave for the rest of this week. Instead, we’re looking at "partly cloudy skies with haze."
Basically, an anticyclone circulation—a high-pressure system—is shifting toward the east. While it’s bringing freezing winds to places like West Bengal and Jharkhand, it’s actually pulling moisture from the Bay of Bengal into Maharashtra. This moisture acts like a trap for heat. That’s why our night temperatures have jumped from single digits at the start of the month to the mid-teens now.
Looking ahead at the week
For the next couple of days, expect the minimums to stay around 15°C to 16°C and the maximums to push toward 32°C. It's classic "Pune Haze" weather. You’ll see a bit of fog in the early mornings near the Mula-Mutha river, but it clears up by 9:00 AM.
The health catch nobody talks about
It’s not just about what clothes to wear. The current temperature in Pune is playing havoc with the city’s air quality. High humidity in the mornings (we hit 89% today!) mixed with calm winds means all the dust and vehicle exhaust just sits there.
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The Air Quality Index (AQI) has been hovering around the 190-200 mark. That’s the "Moderate" to "Poor" category. If you’re a runner or you like those early morning walks on University Road, you might find yourself coughing more than usual. The "morning chill" is actually the worst time for your lungs right now because the cold air traps pollutants close to the ground.
How to actually survive Pune’s January swing
Since the current temperature in Pune is so inconsistent, you’ve gotta be strategic. Forget the heavy parkas unless you’re riding a bike at 6:00 AM.
- The Onion Method: Layers are your best friend. A light cotton shirt with a denim jacket or a sweatshirt is the way to go. You want to be able to shed layers the moment you step into the sun.
- Hydrate like it’s May: Because the air is hazy and the sun is peaking at 32°C, you’re losing more water than you realize.
- Time your workouts: If you can, wait until 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM to go for that run. The air is slightly cleaner once the sun starts moving the atmosphere around.
- Skin protection: The UV index is surprisingly high (around 6) for a winter month. Even if it feels "cool," the sun is still doing its thing.
The most important takeaway? Don't trust the thermometer on your car's dashboard if you're driving across town. The current temperature in Pune depends entirely on how many buildings are around you.
Keep an eye on the sky—if those medium-to-high clouds stick around, expect the nights to get even warmer. If the skies clear out completely, we might just get one last "shiver" before the February heat starts creeping in.
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For the next 48 hours, stick to light woolens for the morning commute and keep your sunglasses handy for the afternoon. If you're heading out to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, mid-morning is your sweet spot for the best weather.