Knock- knock, where’s the winter?

No wonder citizens are now without their woolies, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showed that the average minimum temperature in the city has been over 15 u00b0C from December 1u201317. Except for 2019, when the average minimum temperature was 16.7 u00b0C, this is the highest minimum temperature since 2012 (for the entire month of December).
The data showed that during the past 10 years, the average night temperature in December was mostly in the range of 11u201312 u00b0C, with 2019 being the only exception. If forecasts are taken into account, December 2022 could even surpass the 2019 figure, an IMD official said.On Saturday, the maximum temperature in Shivajinagar was 31.7 u00b0C, which was 2.6 notches above normal. Lohegaon also recorded 31.2u00b0C as its day temperature, which was again over 2u00b0 above normal. The city’s minimum temperature is also running at least 6-7u00b0 above normal, at 17u201321u00b0C in parts of the city.Given the unusually warm weather, woollen shops have registered a 25u201330% drop in sales this month in comparison to the past years.
 Source:IndiatodayPrashant Khandelwal, owner of Prashant Woollens, told TOI, Last year too, we saw winter temperatures setting in around January. Having said that, December of 2021 was still cooler than this year. Winter wear sales have plunged by 25u201330% this December.Shashindra Shetty, owner of Roopali restaurant on F C Road, said, Coffee and tea sales have dropped. We are witnessing more demand for lemonade and kokum juice. Cooler foods like dahi wada are also being preferred. Vikram Shetty, secretary, Poona Hoteliersu2019 Association, told TOI, Bars are reporting high beer sales this December despite it being a winter month.Patrons are cutting down on warm drinks such as rum. Sanjay Kalera, owner of S J Balsara Wines on NIBM Road, said, Puneu2019s weather has been unpredictable for some time now. This has had an impact on the way people drink liquor. December’s cold usually causes a drop in beer sales. But this month, ready-to-drink alcohol like beer is in good demand.Comment your views.