Kolkata woke up to a grey sky and a spell of showers on Saturday, with heavier rainfall in the northern and eastern parts compared to the south, which received a steady drizzle for over an hour from 11 am. Despite a thick cloud cover throughout the day, the mercury climbed two notches from Friday to reach 34.6 degrees Celsius.
Weather Forecast for South Bengal
A bulletin from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) stated that a 'favourable wind pattern and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal' will trigger light to moderate rain and thundershowers across south Bengal until at least June 12. The city recorded 2.4 mm of rain on Saturday. Maximum temperatures may remain below normal in Kolkata over the next three to four days, although humidity could increase, raising the discomfort index, according to weather officials.
On Saturday, Kolkata, along with South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Murshidabad, Nadia, and East and West Burdwan, experienced thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds. The bulletin indicated that thunderstorms, rain, and lightning are likely to continue in one or two places in North and South 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, Murshidabad, and Birbhum on Sunday.
Pre-Monsoon Thunderstorms
A seasonal trough and two upper air circulations, one of which runs through Jharkhand and its neighbourhood, are expected to maintain cloudiness and rainfall in the region. RMC weather scientist Sourish Bandopadhyay explained, 'These are pre-monsoon thunderstorms that will continue but will be sporadic across south Bengal districts and will progressively weaken. However, the cloud cover may persist, keeping the scorching heat at bay until the middle of next week. Since moisture incursion is high, humidity will rise, making it uncomfortable.'
Impact on North Bengal
The circulations and trough will have a greater impact on north Bengal, which has experienced consistent rain and thunderstorms over the last ten days. The bulletin warned, 'In view of the favourable wind pattern and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, thunderstorms with lightning, gusty surface winds, and isolated heavy rainfall may continue over north Bengal over the next seven days, and enhanced thunderstorms with lightning and strong gusty surface winds during the next 24 hours in south Bengal.'
June Outlook: Dry and Warm
Kolkata could remain exceptionally dry and warm in June despite the monsoon onset later this month. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated in a 'Long-Range Forecast for Southwest Monsoon' that El Nino conditions are likely to develop during the monsoon season, potentially halting rains at its beginning. Most regions, including east and south Bengal, could be impacted, according to meteorologists. This will lead to maximum temperatures remaining above normal for most of June across most parts of India, including east India, while below-normal average monthly rainfall is expected during the month.
