Kolkata: At six notches below normal, Thursday marked a temporary return to chilly winter weather, as the maximum temperature fell under 30° Celsius for the first time in over two weeks.
The maximum temperature fell to 26.7° Celsius on Thursday from 30.2° Celsius on Wednesday, coinciding with dark overcast skies for most of the day.
“A cyclonic circulation in Odisha caused the cloud cover. But the cyclonic circulation has weakened, and apart from temporary clouding, there are no chances of rainfall on the horizon. The sky is likely to be sunnier while the maximum may hike up three notches by Friday,” said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) director G K Das.
Since the beginning of the week, northwesterly winds have strengthened over the region. “There is currently snowfall in parts of the Himalayas and winter-like conditions are prevailing in parts of the northwest. Until the end of the week, the northwesterly winds are likely to remain over Kolkata,” added Das.
The maximum has not crossed 32° Celsius this March, but got as close as 31.5° Celsius last Saturday. By the end of next week, the maximum is likely to shoot up past the 32° Celsius mark.