Kolkata Weather: Thunderstorms and Hail Trigger Sharp Temperature Drop
The city of Kolkata was lashed by overnight thunderstorms and hailstorms late Friday into Saturday, leading to a dramatic plunge in temperatures and widespread rainfall across the metropolitan area. Residents awoke to overcast skies and persistent drizzles that continued until late Saturday morning, significantly altering the weather pattern.
Precipitation and Temperature Data
According to meteorological observations, Kolkata received a total of 19.8 mm of rainfall on Friday, followed by an additional 3.4 mm on Saturday. This precipitation, combined with extensive cloud cover, caused a substantial cooling effect. The maximum temperature recorded on Saturday was 23.2°C, which represents a sharp decline of 7 degrees from Friday's high of 30.9°C. This reading was approximately 11°C below the normal seasonal average.
Similarly, the minimum temperature experienced a significant drop, falling from 25.4°C on Friday to 19.2°C on Saturday – a decrease of more than six degrees. The mercury remained well below typical levels throughout the period.
Weather Patterns and Meteorological Analysis
The thunderstorms and accompanying rainfall were precipitated by two distinct meteorological systems. A low-pressure trough over south Bengal persisted in the region on Saturday, while a western disturbance (WD) stretched from Haryana to Chhattisgarh. These systems interacted with moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, creating ideal conditions for thunderstorm development.
"It was a mixed impact of the two that triggered thunderstorms in Kolkata and in several districts of south Bengal since Friday evening," explained Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) weather scientist Sourish Bandopadhyay. "These were aided by moisture incursion from the Bay that helped precipitate the thunderstorms and rain."
Rainfall Distribution and Hailstorm Occurrence
Most parts of Kolkata experienced continuous rainfall from approximately 2 AM until around 11 AM on Saturday. While the precipitation was consistent, it was not particularly heavy in intensity. However, certain areas of south Kolkata witnessed a hailstorm between 2 AM and 3 AM on Saturday, adding to the disruptive weather conditions.
Bandopadhyay further elaborated on the forecast: "While the impact of the WD will reduce from Saturday night, the low-pressure trough over south Bengal, too, will start moving away. This will lead to a clearer sky on Sunday, though localized rain may continue."
Regional Impact and Extended Forecast
The adverse weather conditions were not confined to Kolkata alone. Several districts in south Bengal, including Bankura, Jhargram, Purulia, West Midnapore, and West Burdwan, experienced severe thunderstorms and substantial rainfall on Saturday. On Friday, Purulia recorded the highest temperature in south Bengal at 36.3°C, while Raiganj in north Bengal reached 35°C.
Looking ahead, the RMC has indicated that several south Bengal districts will continue to receive rain and hailstorms over the next seven days. For Kolkata specifically, the city may remain cloudy during the first half of Sunday, but no significant rain or thunderstorms are anticipated.
Temperature Projections and Recovery
Meteorologists expect temperatures to remain significantly lower than normal in the coming days. The minimum temperature is projected to hover around 19°C, while the maximum could reach approximately 29°C. Bandopadhyay noted, "The cloud cover and the continuing moisture incursion will keep the mercury low. It will rise gradually as the cloud cover lifts over the next 24 hours."
This weather event serves as a reminder of how quickly atmospheric conditions can change, particularly when multiple weather systems converge over the region.
