48 hours after squall, city max temp spikes by 8°C

Kolkata: The city woke up to a stifling morning and endured a scorching Sunday, with the maximum temperature soaring to 35°C, after a brief one-and-a-half-day respite from the sweltering summer heat, triggered by the squall on Friday afternoon. Sunday’s maximum was around 8°C higher than the temperature in Kolkata during the immediate aftermath of Friday’s squall.

With no cloud-generating system in the region and conditions turning warm and dry, Kolkata and south Bengal are set for a gruelling week when temperatures may soar to 36°C in Kolkata and 37°C in neighbouring Howrah, said a bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre on Sunday.

With minimum temperature touching 25.2°C and maximum humidity at 95%, it was warm and humid from the morning. The minimum is likely to spiral to 28°C while the maximum could persist at 35°C on Monday.

The upcoming six-day meteorological forecast indicates a sustained period of stable, high-pressure atmospheric conditions across the region. The dominant feature of this weather pattern will be a prolonged stretch of exceptionally warm and predominantly dry conditions, with maximum daily temperatures consistently hovering between 34°C and 36°C.

On Sunday afternoon, Kolkata recorded a real-feel temperature — a measure of how the heat feels on the skin — of 43.8°C, according to private weather forecasting service AccuWeather.

From June 2-4, Kolkata may record a maximum temperature of 36°C, which, coupled with high humidity, could turn conditions extremely uncomfortable, said weathermen. Temperature may drop marginally to 35°C and 34°C over the next two days. Minimum temperature, too, could be high, around 28°C-29°C, which is higher than normal.

A strong ridge of high pressure is expected to remain stationary over the area, effectively blocking significant moisture inflows and suppressing cloud formation. This lack of cloud cover will maximise solar radiation, driving diurnal heating to its projected peak. Daily maximum temperatures will establish a steady baseline in the mid-30s, creating unseasonably warm conditions for this time of year. Overnight recovery will offer limited relief, as minimum temperatures are expected to remain elevated, contributing to a high cumulative heat load over the six-day duration.

A bulletin issued by the RMC said a trough runs from a cyclonic circulation over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal over Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, south Odisha, north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal. “This has not had a major impact on south Bengal. Between June 3 and 4, scattered rain is expected in south Bengal and Kolkata. It could have a minor impact, though, and the temperature is unlikely to drop sharply. There will be no respite till at least June 6,” said RMC weather scientist Sourish Bandopadhyay.

He added that the maximum temperature is now spiralling back to the normal mark. “We are feeling uncomfortable due to the temperature fluctuations. Since the squall on Friday, the mercury plunged below and it is now rising again, making it difficult for us to adjust to the heat and humidity,” he explained.