Kolkata winter chill sets in as Cyclone Murasu weakens, mercury hits 23.5°C
Synopsis
With Cyclone Murasu out of the picture, Kolkata's minimum temperature has slipped to 23.5°C and the IMD says it could touch 20°C within days — a rare post-cyclone cold snap signalling winter's early arrival. A fresh Bay of Bengal low-pressure system could bring rain back to south Bengal from Monday, just after Kali Puja.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 23.5°C on 5 November , down from 25.8°C the previous day.
The IMD forecasts the mercury could fall further to the 20°C mark within two days.
Dry weather is expected across south Bengal until Sunday (Kali Puja) ; rain likely from Monday .
Districts including North 24 Parganas , South 24 Parganas , Howrah , and Hooghly are on watch for scattered thunderstorms next week.
A new low-pressure area may form over the Bay of Bengal next week, the IMD has indicated.
No rainfall forecast for north Bengal ; night temperatures expected to drop, signalling early winter onset there too.
Kolkata recorded a sharp dip in its minimum temperature to 23.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 5 November, as dry weather returned to south Bengal following the weakening of Cyclone Murasu. The drop of approximately two degrees Celsius from the previous day's reading of 25.8°C has offered residents an early taste of the approaching winter season.
Temperature Readings and IMD Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Kolkata's minimum temperature, while still 1.3 degrees above the seasonal average, is expected to decline further over the next two days and could touch the 20-degree Celsius mark. The city's maximum temperature also eased, settling at 28.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday — 1.3 degrees below normal. A similar cooling trend is anticipated across other districts of south Bengal.
No Rain Until Kali Puja, Fresh System Looms After
Dry conditions are forecast to persist across the region at least until Sunday, which marks Kali Puja, according to the weather office. However, from Monday onwards, several south Bengal districts could receive rainfall as a fresh weather system is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal next week. The IMD has indicated that a new low-pressure area may form over the Bay, potentially intensifying rainfall activity across parts of south Bengal.
Districts on Rain Watch From Monday
Ahead of the anticipated system, the weather office has forecast scattered rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram districts. These forecasts are contingent on the development of the low-pressure area, and conditions could evolve through the weekend.
North Bengal Stays Dry, Winter Signals Emerging
No rainfall has been forecast for north Bengal at this stage. Dry weather is expected to continue in the northern districts, with no significant change in daytime temperatures. However, the IMD projects a considerable fall in night temperatures, which is expected to signal the gradual onset of winter in that region. This comes amid a broader seasonal shift across West Bengal following the post-cyclone atmospheric clearance.
Relief for Residents, Skies Partly Cloudy
The cooler conditions have brought noticeable relief to residents of Kolkata and surrounding districts. The sky over the city is expected to remain partly cloudy, with heavy rainfall unlikely; isolated places may receive light showers. This marks a distinct change from the humidity and overcast conditions that accompanied Cyclone Murasu's approach earlier in the week.
Point of View
Compressing what is usually a gradual seasonal drift into a sharp two-day dip. The more consequential detail is the IMD's mention of a fresh Bay of Bengal low-pressure area forming next week: Bengal has seen back-to-back systems in recent November cycles, and a repeat could disrupt the brief dry window that Kali Puja revellers are counting on. The 20°C target for Kolkata, if reached, would be notably early for winter onset by historical benchmarks and deserves closer tracking.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kolkata's temperature drop suddenly on 5 November?
Kolkata's minimum temperature fell to 23.5°C on 5 November after Cyclone Murasu weakened, allowing dry air to return to south Bengal and triggering a roughly two-degree dip overnight. The post-cyclone atmospheric clearance accelerated the seasonal cooling.
How low could Kolkata's temperature go this week?
The India Meteorological Department forecasts that Kolkata's minimum temperature could fall further over the next two days and potentially touch the 20-degree Celsius mark. The current reading of 23.5°C is still 1.3 degrees above the seasonal average.
Will it rain in Kolkata during Kali Puja this Sunday?
No rainfall is expected in Kolkata or south Bengal until Sunday, 9 November, which is when Kali Puja falls. Dry conditions are forecast through the festival. Rain could return from Monday onwards, depending on how a fresh weather system develops over the Bay of Bengal.
Which south Bengal districts could receive rain next week?
The IMD has forecast scattered rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram from Monday, contingent on a new low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal.
What is the weather outlook for north Bengal?
North Bengal is expected to remain dry with no rainfall forecast for now. While daytime temperatures are unlikely to change significantly, night temperatures are projected to fall considerably, marking the gradual start of winter in the northern districts.
