Kolkata is set for a bright, sunny Friday, January 23, 2026, with temperatures steadily rising to a warm afternoon before cooling comfortably in the evening, though lingering "poor" air quality from Thursday, January 22 necessitates caution for outdoor activities.
The day's weather features a wide temperature range from 14.9°C to 28.2°C and no rain, while yesterday's air quality index reached 280, driven by high particulate matter, prompting recommendations for masks and measured outdoor time.
The forecast for the coming week indicates consistently sunny conditions and a gradual warming trend, with highs reaching over 32°C by January 29, maintaining 0% rain chances but still advising awareness of midday heat and potential pollution.
The day begins on a bright, winter-sun kind of note in Kolkata.
The forecast indicates sunny conditions will persist throughout the day.
Temperatures are expected to rise steadily into a warm afternoon.
The evening will see temperatures cool back to a comfortable level.
The temperature range for today is wide, which is typical for late January in the city.
A low of 14.9°C was recorded in the morning.
The high temperature is expected to reach near 28.2°C by the afternoon.
The average temperature for the day is projected to be around 21.3°C.
Humidity levels are relatively low, standing at about 31%.
This low humidity should contribute to the heat feeling dry rather than sticky.
Winds are anticipated to remain gentle to moderate.
They are expected to top out around 11.5 km/h.
A light breeze may be noticeable, but no gusty conditions are predicted.
Rain is not expected today.
There is 0 mm precipitation anticipated.
The chance of rain is also 0%.
Visibility is clear, holding around 10 km.
The day is characterized as a clean-weather day.
It will feature sharp sunlight.
Temperatures will experience a quick climb after breakfast hours.
A mild slide down in temperatures is expected after sunset.
The coolest feel of the day will be in the early morning.
A noticeably warmer patch is expected from late morning into mid-afternoon.
A more comfortable, slightly breezy feel will arrive once the sun dips.
Sunrise occurred at 6:18 AM.
Sunset is scheduled for 5:19 PM.
The day will remain bright, but the evening cool-down will come relatively early.
"Sun-filled day, quick warm-up by afternoon"
Rain is essentially off the table: 0 mm precipitation expected and 0% chance of rain, with clear visibility holding around 10 km.
In plain terms, it’s a clean-weather day—sharp sunlight, a quick climb in temperatures after breakfast hours, and a mild slide down after sunset.
Expect the coolest feel in the early morning, a noticeably warmer patch from late morning into mid-afternoon, and a more comfortable, slightly breezy feel once the sun dips.
The air quality in Kolkata on Thursday, January 22, was firmly unhealthy by everyday standards.
Yesterday’s pollution sat in the "poor" bracket.
This condition can still linger into today.
"Yesterday’s air: “Poor” AQI, with fine particles leading the trouble"
Kolkata’s air on Thursday, January 22 was firmly unhealthy by everyday standards.
The AQI (India) was 280, which falls in Category 4: Poor.
On the US scale, it read 222, also indicating unhealthy air.
The biggest concern stemmed from particulate pollution.
PM2.5 levels were at 140.
PM10 levels were at 175.
Both these levels are high enough to irritate eyes and throat.
They can also trigger coughing.
Such levels can worsen asthma or other respiratory conditions.
This is especially true for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease.
Carbon monoxide (CO) was also elevated at 486.
This added to the overall pollution load.
Today’s sunny, dry weather does not automatically "wash out" pollution.
This is because there is no rain to scrub particles from the air.
Light winds may help disperse some of the haze locally.
However, if emissions remain high, air quality can stay stubborn.
This is particularly true during morning and evening traffic peaks.
While the weather looks inviting, it is sensible to keep outdoor time measured.
This is especially important near busy roads.
If stepping out early, it is a pleasant morning for a walk.
However, carrying a mask is advised if sensitive or commuting through traffic-heavy stretches.
"How to plan your day without letting air and heat spoil it"
Midday will be warm under direct sun.
Wearing sunglasses and a light layer is a smart approach.
This is particularly relevant if outdoors between late morning and mid-afternoon.
Because yesterday’s AQI was poor, considering a well-fitted mask (N95/FFP2) is recommended.
This applies to long commutes, outdoor workouts, or routes along major junctions.
If possible, shifting exercise to quieter streets or parks is advisable.
Keeping exercise shorter than usual is also suggested.
At home, keeping windows closed during peak traffic hours can help.
Ventilating later in the day is also beneficial.
Staying hydrated matters more than one might think in dry, sunny conditions.
"The week ahead: warmer days build in, nights stay mild"
The forecast for the coming week indicates consistently sunny conditions.
A gradual warming trend is expected.
After today’s high of 28.2°C, daytime highs are projected to rise.
They will reach 29.6°C on January 24.
On January 25, the high will be 30.4°C.
Temperatures will hover around 30°C through January 26–27.
The warmest stretch appears late in the week.
A high of 31.4°C is expected on January 28.
On January 29, the temperature could reach 32.3°C.
Nights will also see an increase, edging up from the mid-teens to about 18.9°C by January 29.
Rain chances will remain at 0% all week.
This makes outdoor plans easy to schedule.
However, it is important to be mindful of midday heat and lingering pollution.
If selecting the best day for longer outdoor activities, January 23–24 look most comfortable.
This is before the stronger heat settles in.
By January 28–29, the weather is still great on paper.
However, the hotter afternoons may call for shade breaks and earlier timings.