The India Meteorological Department has predicted a prolonged dry spell with characteristic misty mornings across Bengal even as residents can expect a stable winter week ahead.

This week commenced with a warm and sunny outlook. On Monday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 30.4 °C while the minimum settled at 15.5°C. The morning started with mist but a significantly clear sky was visible by midday.

According to the latest seven-day bulletin, “Dry weather is most likely to prevail” over all districts of both North and South Bengal through January 26, 2026. While the skies will remain largely clear, a shallow to moderate fog is expected to reduce visibility (between 200m and 999m) during the early morning hours at one or two places. Expect a noticeable rise in mercury as the dry spell continues. The temperature is forecasted to peak at 31.7 °C during the afternoon, with the early morning low climbing slightly to 17.4°C. Similar to Monday, Tuesday is expected to begin with shallow fog before turning sunny.

According to the forecast for Wednesday, the warming trend is expected to reach its peak mid-week, with daytime temperatures hitting roughly 32.2°C. Night-time conditions will also feel less “chilly” than typical January standards, as the minimum temperature is likely to be around 18.5°C. This combination of high heat and low humidity will make for a dry afternoon.

Stability remains the theme for Thursday, with the maximum temperature hovering near 32.4°C. The early morning hours will offer some relief at 19.2°C, but the consistent sunshine throughout the day will keep the city feeling warmer than usual for this time of year.

For Friday, the heat is likely to hold steady with a high of 32.8°C. Minimum temperatures are expected to stay consistent at 19.2°C. While some parts of the country might see the wind change, Kolkata is expected to remain dry with clear skies and high visibility once the morning mist dissipates.

The heat is projected to intensify further on Saturday, with the maximum temperature potentially reaching 33.9°C. This makes it one of the hottest days of the month. The minimum temperature will also see a small uptick, settling around 19.7°C, suggesting a relatively warm night for January, according to the weather department. The week is likely to conclude with a slight dip but remains warm, with a forecasted maximum of 33.2°C. The minimum temperature is expected to reach its highest point for the week at 20°C, marking a significant departure from the cooler winter nights experienced earlier in the month.

For South Bengal, a slight shift in mercury is on the horizon. The minimum temperatures are expected to rise by 2-3°C over the next 48 hours, with no significant changes thereafter. In South Bengal, Kalyani (Nadia) recorded the lowest temperature at 9.6°C, followed by Panagarh at 9.8°C.

For North Bengal, the night temperatures are projected to remain steady with no large changes throughout the week. Darjeeling recorded a minimum of 4.4°C, while Kalimpong stood at 9.5°C.

According to the weather department, in most of the other places, the mercury hovered between 10°C and 13°C. Salt Lake on the outskirts of Kolkata recorded a higher minimum of 14.3°C.