Kolkata residents, who shivered through the coldest New Year's Eve in 15 years, finally experienced a slight relief in the biting chill on Friday. However, the city's maximum and minimum temperatures continued to stay below the normal seasonal mark, according to the latest readings from the Regional Meteorological Centre.
A Gradual Rise After a Record Chill
The mercury had plunged to a frigid 11°C on New Year's Eve, marking the lowest temperature for the occasion in a decade and a half. The intense cold persisted into the first day of the year, with the Alipore observatory recording a minimum of 11.6°C on Thursday. This, too, was the coldest New Year's Day minimum in 15 years.
Friday brought a marginal respite, with the minimum temperature rising to 13.1°C. Despite the increase, it remained 1.1 degrees below the normal average for this time of year. The daytime maximum temperature also saw a slight uptick, moving from 22.6°C to 23.2°C, but it was still 1.9 degrees below the normal maximum.
What's Causing the Temperature Fluctuations?
Met scientists attribute the recent slight warming to a shift in wind patterns. H R Biswas, head of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, explained the phenomenon. "The passage of a western disturbance has weakened the dominant north-westerly winds," he said. "We currently have a mixed wind pattern at various atmospheric levels, which is causing temperatures to climb gradually."
The dry and cold north-westerly winds are crucial for driving down temperatures across Kolkata and West Bengal. While systems like western disturbances do not directly impact south Bengal, they can obstruct this cold flow and reduce its intensity. Presently, the city is receiving winds originating primarily from central India.
Forecast: A Brief Warm-Up Before the Chill Returns
The weather office anticipates the warming trend to continue into Saturday. The minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to reach around 14°C and 24°C respectively, bringing them closer to the normal range. However, this relief is expected to be short-lived.
"Once the western disturbance system moves out completely, the north-westerly winds will regain strength," Biswas added. This resurgence is predicted to trigger a gradual decline in mercury levels from Tuesday or Wednesday of the coming week.
The marginal rise in temperature was not confined to central Kolkata. Neighbouring areas like Salt Lake and Dum Dum also recorded slightly higher minimums of 13.5°C and 12°C respectively. Despite the current uptick, meteorological officials have indicated that January is likely to maintain a stable cold feel, similar to what the city experienced throughout December.
