Mumbai: Amid the heatwave alert, Mumbai witnessed a maximum temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. However, thanks to the strong easterly winds, Mumbaikars got a slight sigh of relief from the scorching heat and humidity.

After the city consistently recorded maximum temperature above 37 degrees for three to four days, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a Yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday for Konkan region.

The alert was applicable for the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Ratnagiri. Although the heatwave warning was issued untill Wednesday, there will be no large change in the hot and humid weather conditions the region is witnessing lately.

As per IMD weather report, for the next 48 hours, Mumbai city and suburbs will experience maximum and minimum temperatures of 37 and 22 degrees Celsius, respectively. The skies will be mainly clear, and hot and humid conditions will prevail.

"From Thursday, the temperature will drop slightly. The maximum temperature in Mumbai will be in range of 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. Although maximum temperatures will drop slightly, citizens will not witness major changes in the weather conditions as the summer season is setting in," said Sunil Kamble, Director of IMD Mumbai.

Kamble added that the vulnerable groups, specially senior citizens and working class who have prolonged exposure to direct sunlight need to take health precautions.

Considering the sizzling temperatures the coastal city is witnessing in February, which is officially still a winter season, Mumbaikars are worried how the summer season will treat the city.

"I am residing in Mumbai over 40 years now. However, the heat the city is experiencing in last couple of years is unbearable. People are worried if February is so hot, how the weather will be in the months of April and May," said Manda Shete, a resident of Chembur.

IMD Mumbai scientist Sushma Nair said that the heatwave the city witness was not unprecedented considering the trend of rising temperatures over last few years, however, it is unusual for Mumbai to witness a heatwave in February.

Speaking on how the summer season will look like in Mumbai, Nair said, "The city will officially enter summer season on March 1. On February 28, the weather department will give citizens and outlook of the summer season."

For the unversed, on Tuesday, Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius, highest of the season so far. It also marked second highest February temperature after February 2017, when city has recorded 38.8 degrees Celsius.

IMD had issued Yellow alert- a heatwave warning for Konkan region including Mumbai on Wednesday. The maximum temperature recorded in the major weather stations in the region were:

Mumbai (Santacruz) - 38.5°C

Mumbai (Colaba) - 35.3 °C

Thane - 37°C

Ratnagiri - 37.2°C

Dahanu - 38.2 °C

Palghar - 37.5 °C