Kolkata welcomed the year 2026 with an unusually sharp chill, recording its coldest New Year's Day in at least fifteen years. The city woke up on Thursday, January 1, to a minimum temperature of 11.6 degrees Celsius, setting a frigid tone for the start of the new year.
A Deep and Persistent Chill
The recorded temperature, while slightly higher than Wednesday's low, was a significant 2.6 degrees below the seasonal normal. The cold was widespread across the metropolitan region. In neighbouring areas like Dum Dum and Salt Lake, the mercury similarly hovered around the 11-degree mark, with official readings of 11°C and 11.6°C respectively.
This recent chill continues a trend from December 2025, which ended on a notably cold note. On the last day of the year, the minimum temperature had plunged to 11°C, while the day's maximum was a stark 5.2 degrees below normal. Meteorologists noted that the cold feeling remained steady throughout December without any significant weather systems interrupting it.
What's Next for Kolkata's Weather?
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata, residents can expect a brief respite followed by a return of the cold. H R Biswas, head of RMC Kolkata, explained that a change in wind pattern due to a passing western disturbance will temporarily halt the mercury's fall.
The forecast indicates a gradual rise in the minimum temperature, potentially touching 13°C by Friday and reaching the 15°C–16°C range over the next two to three days. However, this relief will be short-lived. "We can expect it to start coming down again from January 10," Biswas stated.
Comparing the New Year Chill
The severity of this year's cold is highlighted by comparisons with recent years:
- January 1, 2024: The temperature was near normal at 14.2°C.
- January 1, 2023: It was a relatively warm 16.2°C.
- January 1, 2015: The day was five notches above normal at 18.3°C, marking one of the warmest New Year's Days in a decade and a half.
The maximum temperature on Thursday was also below par, recorded at 22.6°C, which is 2.5 notches below normal. While the northwesterly winds—responsible for the cold conditions—continue at ground level, they are losing strength at higher altitudes of about 1-2 km, which is preventing an even sharper temperature drop.
Looking ahead to the rest of January, officials expect the cold conditions to remain stable. The RMC anticipates that the average minimum temperature for the month will stay below normal, while the maximum is likely to hover around the normal mark. The centre plans to issue a detailed weather outlook for January within the next couple of days.
