Kolkata’s recent cold spell may be approaching its final chapter. According to the latest update from the weather department, the cold weather can only be expected to last a week or so before the winter weather eases out.
Kolkata registered a low of 13.3°C at night on Wednesday. This slightly reduced temperature continued at 12.5°C on Thursday, which is about 2°C below the usual level for this season. However, according to meteorologists, the temperature is not expected to go below 12°C for the rest of the season.
The daytime temperatures have also been on the lower side. The maximum temperature on Thursday was 23.5°C, which is 1.3°C lower than normal, keeping the overall weather cool but stable.
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Western disturbance to weaken cold winds
Weather department officials stated that a new Western disturbance may form over northwest India on Friday itself. The development is likely to make the movement of northerly winds, which are responsible for the cold winds in the area, weaker. When this happens, the hold of winter on the region is likely to ease.
According to forecasts, winter will start fading from early next week. While cool weather may continue till around Saraswati Puja, the chances of severe or biting cold have largely ruled out. Across most parts of the state, both day and night temperatures are expected to rise steadily, except in the northern hill regions.
What to expect over next few days
Forecasts indicate that temperatures will remain below normal for the maximum and minimum temperatures in Kolkata till Saturday. By Sunday afternoon, there would be a weakening of the intensity of the northerly winds. From Monday to Wednesday, there may be a rise in temperatures in the city by 3°C, hinting at the easing of winter.
Fog alerts across Bengal
Dense fog is anticipated on Friday in a few South Bengal districts, such as Nadia, Murshidabad, Birbhum, East and West Bardhaman, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas. The fog situation is likely to ease progressively after Sunday.
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In North Bengal, dense fog warnings remain in place for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Malda, and North and South Dinajpur. The intensity of the fog could go up on Saturday and Sunday, and the visibility could drop to 50 meters. The temperatures in the above areas will not fluctuate much.
According to the Meteorological Department, cold and dry weather would continue until next Sunday. There might be a slight rise in temperatures from the 19th of January, but the chilling effect may continue until the 23rd of January. Temperatures will start rising from the 24th of January onwards. Withdrawal of winter is expected to start in the first week of February, after which winter may conclude quickly.
