Is the Cold Wave Gripping Bengal with Kolkata's Record Low Temperatures?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata recorded its coldest day at 12.8 degrees Celsius.
- The cold wave is affecting the entire West Bengal region.
- Fog warnings are in place for various districts.
- Sriniketan is the coldest spot in South Bengal.
- Temperatures may drop further in the coming days.
Kolkata, Dec 27 (NationPress) The unexpected drop in minimum temperatures has persisted throughout West Bengal, fueled by the steady flow of chilly northerly winds, as Kolkata recorded its coldest day of the season on Saturday, with temperatures falling to 12.8 degrees Celsius.
Winter has decisively settled across the state in the last week of December, with minimum temperatures in Kolkata and other regions of south Bengal consistently decreasing over the past few days. The mercury dipped further on Saturday, marking the coldest day of the season to date.
Previously, on Thursday, Kolkata's minimum temperature fell to 13.7 degrees Celsius, the lowest at that time. This record was surpassed on Friday when temperatures dropped to 12.9 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, it fell slightly more to 12.8 degrees Celsius, which is one degree below normal. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature recorded in the city on Friday was 21.2 degrees Celsius, approximately 4.4 degrees below normal.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Alipore indicated that temperatures are expected to remain similar over the coming days, with a possibility of further declines.
The sky above Kolkata is anticipated to stay mostly clear and cloudless through Sunday, although morning fog is likely.
A fog warning has been issued for nearly all districts in South Bengal. Light to moderate fog may reduce visibility to between 999 meters and 200 meters. In north Bengal, dense fog is expected, where visibility could sharply decrease to between 199 meters and 50 meters. A dense fog warning has been issued for all northern districts for Saturday and Sunday.
No significant changes in temperatures are expected in north Bengal over the next week.
In the meantime, Sriniketan in Birbhum district has emerged as the coldest location in south Bengal over the past few days, registering temperatures lower than certain areas in north Bengal, such as Kalimpong and Alipurduar. On Saturday, Sriniketan recorded a minimum temperature of 9.7 degrees Celsius, the lowest in south Bengal.
Other recorded minimum temperatures across the state include 9.9 degrees Celsius in Bankura; 10.2 degrees Celsius in Purulia and Kalyani; 10 degrees Celsius in Burdwan; 10.6 degrees Celsius in Asansol; 11 degrees Celsius in Uluberia, Canning, Suri, and Jhargram; 11.2 degrees Celsius in Midnapore and Krishnanagar; 11.4 degrees Celsius in Berhampore; 11.5 degrees Celsius in Contai; 11.3 degrees Celsius in Panagarh; 11.6 degrees Celsius in Digha; 12.2 degrees Celsius in Barrackpore; and 12.6 degrees Celsius in Diamond Harbour.
Darjeeling recorded a minimum temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while Kalimpong noted 9.5 degrees Celsius and Raiganj recorded 10 degrees Celsius.