Kolkata residents braced themselves against a biting chill on Monday as the city experienced a significant dip in both day and night temperatures, marking a continuation of an intense cold spell. The mercury took a sharp dive, leaving the maximum temperature a staggering 6.7 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average.
Mercury Takes a Nosedive
The Alipore weather office recorded a maximum temperature of just 18.4 degrees Celsius, which is a substantial 6.7 notches below the normal mark. The night was equally cold, with the minimum temperature settling at 12.5 degrees Celsius, which is 1.7 degrees below normal. This marked the fourth instance in the past eight days where the daytime maximum in Kolkata failed to cross the 20°C threshold.
The day began shrouded in fog and low clouds, with sunlight barely making an appearance for most of the day. The primary driver of this intense cold is the uninterrupted flow of dry north-westerly winds blowing in from northern states currently gripped by a severe cold spell. These winds have gained momentum, effectively pushing temperatures further down the scale.
Met Office Forecast: More Chill Ahead
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, there is no immediate relief in sight. The weather scientists expect this chilly run to persist for at least one more week. The minimum temperature is predicted to hover around the 11-degree Celsius mark within the next day or two.
H R Biswas, head of the Kolkata Met centre, explained the situation: "The maximum temperature dipped due to the persistent foggy layer. Now the dry north-westerly winds, too, have gained strength. The winds have been blowing in uninterrupted, adding to the chill." He added that the maximum temperature is likely to remain four to five degrees below normal for the next three to four days, with minimums swinging between 11°C and 12°C.
Historical Context and Temporary Respite
This cold wave is part of a prolonged chilly period for the City of Joy. Kolkata had witnessed its lowest maximum temperature in over a decade on December 29, at 18.2°C. After a gradual rise to 23.4°C by January 3, the downward trend resumed the very next day. Notably, the maximum temperature has now stayed below the normal mark for 21 consecutive days.
A brief interruption occurred due to a western disturbance over north-western India, which slowed the cold winds and caused a temporary rise in mercury. The minimum temperature even breached the normal mark last Sunday, recording 14.9°C. However, with that system now dissipated, the path is clear for the dry winter breeze to reclaim its hold over the city.
Looking ahead, the Met office warns that foggy conditions are likely to prevail till Tuesday afternoon. While there is some moisture in the air causing these foggy layers, it is insufficient to form rain clouds. Biswas concluded that the chill is expected to dominate throughout January, with temperatures remaining below normal on most days, solidifying the cold conditions reminiscent of December.
