Kolkata and several other parts of West Bengal are experiencing an early winter chill, with temperatures dipping sharply across the state over the past two days.

On Wednesday, the minimum temperature in Kolkata dropped to 17 degrees Celsius, which is 3.1 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature on Tuesday stood at 28.6 degrees Celsius, around 2.4 degrees below normal. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature is likely to remain around 17 degrees Celsius for the next two days before rising slightly.

The chill was more pronounced in the western districts, with Birbhum recording 14 degrees Celsius and the mercury in the hills of Darjeeling falling to 8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures remained markedly below normal across most parts of South Bengal and at several locations in North Bengal.

Kolkata’s minimum temperature had already slipped below 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday and continued to drop through the week, touching 18 degrees Celsius on Tuesday before falling further on Wednesday.

The weather office said dry weather will prevail across the state, with the dominance of northerly winds. There is currently no chance of rain predicted anywhere in Bengal. Visibility was low in some areas in the morning due to fog, but the sky remained largely clear through the day.

Officials said there is no significant likelihood of temperatures dropping further in South Bengal over the next four to five days, suggesting that fully settled winter conditions are still some time away.

The current dip in temperature coincides with an upper air cyclonic circulation over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, extending up to above mean sea level. However, this system is not expected to cause any immediate rainfall.