The City of Joy woke up to a distinct winter chill on Saturday as the mercury plunged to a season's low of 14.5 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest day Kolkata has witnessed so far this winter. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the cold spell is far from over, with temperatures likely to drop even further.
Forecast: A Dip to 14°C and a Chilly Week Ahead
According to the regional Met office, the minimum temperature is expected to fall further and settle at around 14°C on Sunday. A marginal rise to approximately 15°C is predicted by Tuesday, December 11, after which the mercury is likely to hover around that mark for the subsequent days. In specific areas like Dum Dum and Salt Lake, the minimum temperature during this period is forecast to remain between 15°C and 16°C.
Saturday's maximum temperature was recorded at 25.3°C, which was two notches below the normal range for this time of year. This sharp dip follows a chilly spell recorded just last week, where Tuesday and Thursday saw lows of 16.4°C, with Wednesday registering a slightly higher 16.6°C. The previous lowest of the season, 15.6°C, was noted on Thursday, which has now been decisively broken.
Meteorological Explanation for the Persistent Chill
HR Biswas, deputy director-general of meteorology, explained the reasons behind the sustained cold weather. "The intensity of sunlight is weakening, which naturally leads to a drop in temperatures," stated Biswas. He further added, "The northwesterly winds are also gaining strength and will continue to flow in unobstructed. Consequently, the minimum temperature is expected to hover around 15°C for the next six to seven days."
Regional Temperature Variations Across Bengal
The cold wave has gripped various parts of West Bengal with varying intensity:
- In south Bengal, Sriniketan recorded the lowest minimum temperature at a biting 10.2°C.
- Across the plains of north Bengal, Alipurduar saw a low of 11°C on Saturday.
- In the hill stations, Darjeeling was the coldest, with the mercury dropping to a frigid 5°C.
As Kolkata bundles up, residents are advised to prepare for a consistently chilly week ahead, with the winter season firmly establishing its presence across the state.
