Temp rises, cloud cover likely to stay for 3-4 days

Kolkata: The city woke up to a grey sky and a spell of showers that was heavier in the northern and eastern parts of the city than the south, that received a steady drizzle for more than an hour from 11 am. Even though a thick cloud cover hung over the city throughout the day, the mercury climbed two notches from Friday to touch 34.6 degrees Celsius. A ‘favourable wind pattern and moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal’ will trigger light to moderate rain and thundershowers across south Bengal till at least June 12, said a bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC). The city received 2.2 mm of rain on Saturday.

The maximum temperature may remain below normal in Kolkata over the next three-four days, though humidity could climb, raising the discomfort index, said weathermen. Kolkata, along with South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Murshidabad, Nadia, East and West Burdwan, received thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds on Saturday. Thunderstorms, rain and lightning are likely to continue in one or two places in North and South 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, Murshidabad and Birbhum on Sunday, said the bulletin.

Meanwhile, a seasonal trough and two upper air circulations, one of which now runs through Jharkhand and neighbourhood, are likely to make clouds and rain persist in the region.

“These are pre-monsoon thunderstorms that will continue but will be sporadic across south Bengal districts and get progressively weaker. But the cloud cover may persist, keeping the scorching heat at bay till the middle of next week. Since moisture incursion is high, humidity will rise, that will make it uncomfortable, though,” said RMC weather scientist Sourish Bandopadhyay.

The circulations and the trough will have a greater impact on north Bengal, that has been pounded by consistent rain and thunderstorms over the last 10 days. “In view of favourable wind pattern and strong moisture incursion form Bay of Bengal, thunderstorm with lightning, gusty surface winds and isolated heavy rainfall may continue over north Bengal over the next seven days and enhanced thunderstorm with lightning, strong gust surface winds during the next 24 hours in south Bengal,” said the bulletin.

Kolkata could remain exceptionally dry and warm in June despite the onset of monsoon later this month. El Nino conditions are likely to develop during the southwest monsoon season, halting rains at the beginning of monsoon, said a ‘Long-Range Forecast for Southwest Monsoon’ issued by the IMD last week. Most regions, including the east and south Bengal, could be impacted, said meteorologists. This will lead to maximum temperatures remaining above normal for most of June across most parts of India, including east India, while below normal average monthly rainfall is expected during the month.