The indirect impact of Cyclone Murasu has delayed the onset of winter in West Bengal, with temperatures holding above normal levels across the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Relief is, however, expected from Thursday, 5 November, with temperatures likely to dip ahead of Kali Puja on 8 November, ushering in the much-awaited winter chill.

Cyclone Murasu's Indirect Grip on Bengal

Cyclone Murasu made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, triggering a red alert for coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. While West Bengal is not in the direct path of the cyclone, its indirect influence is keeping moisture levels elevated and skies partly cloudy across all districts. Scattered rainfall is forecast for several parts of the state on Tuesday under this influence.

In Kolkata, the maximum temperature on Monday stood at 31.04 degrees Celsius — marginally above the seasonal normal of 31 degrees. The minimum temperature was 25.02 degrees Celsius, a full 2.03 degrees above normal. Relative humidity in the city ranged between 67 and 95 per cent, underscoring the moisture-laden atmosphere that cyclonic systems typically pull inland.

District-Level Rainfall Outlook for Tuesday

In north Bengal, districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar may receive light rainfall at one or two places, while the remaining three northern districts are expected to stay dry.

Across south Bengal, isolated light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, and Purulia. Other districts across the south are expected to remain predominantly dry.

Winter Outlook: Dry Spell From Wednesday Onwards

The IMD has forecast mainly dry conditions across West Bengal from Wednesday through Saturday, with the probability of rainfall gradually diminishing as Cyclone Murasu's influence wanes. As cloud cover dissipates, night temperatures are expected to fall progressively — creating the conditions for a classic pre-Kali Puja winter arrival.

This pattern is consistent with past years when Bay of Bengal cyclonic activity in late October or early November briefly disrupted the seasonal transition before giving way to cooler, clearer weather. Notably, this is not the first time a late-season cyclone has pushed Bengal's winter onset back by nearly a week.

What to Expect Around Kali Puja

With dry weather expected to prevail from Wednesday, 4 November, and temperatures projected to dip steadily, residents of Kolkata and across West Bengal can anticipate a noticeably cooler atmosphere by Kali Puja on 8 November. The festival, one of the most significant in the Bengali calendar, is traditionally associated with the first real chill of the season. Whether temperatures fall sharply enough to feel like true winter onset will depend on how quickly cloud cover clears over the next 48 hours.