Max temp rises to 39.4°C, highest so far this season
Times of India | 12 May 2025
Kolkata: The city continued to be singed by sweltering heat as the maximum temperature crawled up to 39.4°C on Sunday, making it the hottest day so far this summer. On Saturday, the maximum was 39.1°C — the highest recorded till then.The minimum temperature also slid up to 29.7°C on Sunday from 29.1°C a day earlier. There may be no respite from the heat and stifling humidity until at least May 15, said the Met office.Dry and hot northwesterly winds are blowing into south Bengal, and there is as yet no possibility of a change in wind pattern, without which the mercury's climb cannot be halted, said RMC weather scientist H R Biswas. "The hot winds are flowing in at lower levels, pushing the mercury up. Due to local heating, there could be a few thunderstorms in south Bengal. We expect thunderstorms in North and South 24 Parganas, which might pull the mercury down temporarily. But there won't be any significant temperature drop," Biswas said.Kolkata recorded a maximum relative humidity of 88% on Sunday. A heatwave warning has been sounded for West Burdwan, Purulia, West Midnapore, and South 24 Parganas, which may see temperatures cross 40°C. On Monday, one or two places in Bankura and Jhargram may also experience heatwave conditions. A bulletin issued by the RMC on Sunday said most south Bengal districts will remain hot and humid until at least May 15. One or two places in Nadia, Murshidabad, and West Burdwan may receive thunderstorms.A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature crosses 40°C and is above the normal mark by 5°C. The mercury has been crawling up in Kolkata since Friday, when it was 38.6°C, the highest till then. The mercury climbed up further on Saturday and the city continued to reel under sweltering heat. "Dry and hot winds are blowing into the region. We expect the maximum temperature to hover between 37°C and 40°C until Wednesday. The wind pattern could change after that, and moisture may start flowing in with southwesterly winds. If that happens, the city and its surroundings will receive thunderstorms," said Biswas.Kolkata's real-feel temperature — a measure of how the heat feels on the skin calculated on the basis of factors like temperature, wind direction, humidity, and sun-ray intensity, among others — climbed to 46°C on Sunday, according to a private weather forecasting service. On Saturday, it was a degree lower. "It will continue to remain humid and uncomfortable. It is not unusual for the mercury to touch 40°C in Kolkata in May. Last year, it touched 43°C and kept hovering around 40°C for days and the city experienced a heatwave. This year, the mercury touched 39°C for the first time on Saturday," said an official.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes, messages, and quotes !