Kolkata has been under the grip of an obstinate winter this year. The night temperatures have been low for 23 days in a row, one of the longest periods in recent times. According to the weather office, though it has been a chilly period, it is gradually coming to an end, with winter gradually loosening its grip from January 19.
The minimum temperatures in the city have been below 15°C for days. The cold is not coming to a hard close in one go, although there’s definitely a tilt towards warmer days.
Cold nights to continue briefly
The weather department has also said that although the Magh-season cold, or what one can expect in this period, has not yet completely gone away. Temperatures in Kolkata might go down to 12°C tonight, although today’s lowest temperature touched 13.2°C, while the highest touched 23°C. Residents can expect cool mornings and nights to persist till Sunday. Northerly winds will continue to dominate South Bengal during this period, maintaining mild winter conditions, especially during early hours and after sunset.
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Fog warning issued across Bengal
Even as winter weakens, fog is set to remain a major factor. The Met department has issued a moderate fog warning for South Bengal from Friday to Sunday. In North Bengal, visibility may drop below 50 metres in districts such as Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. Despite the fog, the sky is expected to remain dry, with no rainfall forecast for the coming days.
Clear skies, rising temperatures ahead
Thursday, January 15, is forecast to be bright and sunny in Kolkata. Temperatures are expected to range between 13.4 degrees Celsius and 25.9 degrees Celsius, with humidity remaining relatively low. Winds will be light to moderate, offering a comfortable afternoon despite strong sunshine.
From January 24 onwards, temperatures are expected to rise more noticeably. The weather office indicates that winter conditions may fully withdraw from the state by the first week of February.
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While weather conditions are improving, air quality continues to pose challenges. On Wednesday, Kolkata’s Air Quality Index stood in the ‘Severe’ category, driven largely by high particulate matter levels. Though sunshine and light winds may help later in the day, pollution levels could remain elevated during early morning hours.
Overall, Kolkata is set to enjoy its final spell of winter before steadily warmer days take over.
