Stormy Skies Ahead
Kolkata is likely to face unsettled weather conditions, potentially impacting the upcoming Wednesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting thunderstorms. After a week of sweltering
heat where maximum temperatures consistently surpassed 36°C, the city might finally experience the much-needed relief of thunderstorms starting from Sunday. The Regional Meteorological Centre has indicated the possibility of successive nor'westers, which could help maintain the mercury below the 35°C mark through the initial week of May. This prediction comes as a welcome change from the recent heatwave, offering a glimpse of cooler climes amidst the election buzz.
Weather System Dynamics
The Met office's bulletin on Saturday detailed the atmospheric conditions contributing to the anticipated stormy weather. A cyclonic circulation system is currently situated over East Bihar and its surrounding areas, extending up to 0.9 km above mean sea level. Concurrently, a subtropical westerly jet stream, featuring core winds of approximately 80 knots at an altitude of 12.6 km above mean sea level, continues to influence East & Northeast India. These atmospheric patterns, combined with a favorable wind configuration and significant moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal, are expected to amplify thunderstorm activity progressively.
Impacted Districts
The anticipated thunderstorms are predicted to affect several districts in South Bengal, including Kolkata itself. According to HR Biswas, deputy director-general of meteorology, parts of Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, West Midnapore, Bankura, East and West Burdwan, Nadia, and Murshidabad are likely to experience thunderstorms of moderate to severe intensity. These storms may be accompanied by lightning and wind speeds reaching 50-60 km/hour. This period of unsettled weather is expected to persist for the next three days across these southern districts of Bengal and continue into the first week of May, offering a potential break from the usual warmth.
Election Day Forecast
On Saturday, Kolkata recorded a marginal dip in its maximum temperature, settling at 35.6°C, with conditions increasingly becoming conducive to thunderstorm development. Mr. Biswas further elaborated that on election day, the weather in Kolkata could remain relatively comfortable due to persistent cloud cover throughout the day. The possibility of a thunderstorm during this period has also not been ruled out, potentially offering a welcome reprieve from the prevailing heat. Voters might find cooler conditions as they head to the polls, with the sky likely to be overcast.
