South Bengal Under Stormy Skies
From Saturday evening, select areas in South Bengal are anticipated to experience stormy conditions accompanied by rainfall. This weather pattern is expected
to bring a welcome respite from the recent oppressive heat and heatwave-like conditions prevalent in parts of the state. The Meteorological Department has issued specific alerts for districts including North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, and West Midnapore. This forecast extends to Kolkata, which is also likely to witness similar stormy weather and rainfall starting Sunday. The approaching Nor'wester is a significant weather phenomenon expected to impact all districts of South Bengal, including the metropolitan city, from Sunday through the following Friday. Residents can anticipate rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 kmph during this period. In some of the more vulnerable districts, these storms could be more intense, with wind speeds potentially escalating to 50 to 60 kmph. These specific districts include Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, East Burdwan, Murshidabad, Nadia, and Birbhum. Even over the sea, gusty winds ranging from 40 to 50 kmph are predicted. Consequently, fishermen have been strongly advised against venturing into the sea off the West Bengal and northern Odisha coasts until Tuesday, ensuring their safety amidst these turbulent maritime conditions. The formation of these storms is attributed to atmospheric conditions, including an extended axis from Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh passing over Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, combined with a cyclonic circulation over Uttar Pradesh, facilitating moisture influx from the Bay of Bengal.
North Bengal's Orange Alert
In tandem with the developments in the southern parts of the state, North Bengal is also preparing for a spell of unsettled weather. The region is forecast to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms. Specifically, the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar are expected to witness heavier rainfall, while other districts within North Bengal are likely to experience light to moderate rain showers. Alongside the precipitation, gusty winds are also anticipated to sweep through the region. In light of these predictions, an orange alert has been officially issued for these northern districts. This alert signifies a warning that severe weather conditions may develop. These meteorological conditions are projected to persist across North Bengal from Saturday until the following Friday, similar to the forecast for South Bengal. This prolonged period of stormy weather highlights the widespread impact of the current atmospheric disturbances. The advisory for fishermen to avoid the sea up to Tuesday also implicitly covers the northern coastlines, underscoring the potential for hazardous conditions across a broad coastal stretch. The underlying meteorological factors, as explained by the Met department, involve a confluence of atmospheric systems that are creating a favourable environment for the development of these significant weather events across both northern and southern regions of West Bengal.
Temperature Drop Expected
A significant consequence of these approaching storms and altered atmospheric patterns will be a noticeable drop in temperatures across West Bengal. Over the next five days, the entire state is expected to experience a decrease in temperatures ranging from three to four degrees Celsius. This cooling trend will offer much-needed relief from the ongoing heatwave conditions that have been affecting several parts of the state. The recent weather data for Kolkata illustrates the current temperature situation; on Saturday morning, the minimum temperature recorded was 27.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.6 degrees above the normal average for this time of year. On the preceding Friday, the maximum temperature in the city reached 36 degrees Celsius, a slight increase of 0.1 degrees above the normal. The onset of the predicted rain and thunderstorms will help to moderate these elevated temperatures, bringing them closer to seasonal averages. This cooling effect is a direct result of the increased cloud cover and precipitation associated with the nor'westers, which effectively shield the land from direct solar radiation and help to dissipate heat. The relief from the heat is a major silver lining to the impending stormy weather, making the forecasts a mixed bag of caution and comfort for the residents of West Bengal.
