Kolkata, 10 December (H.S.) :

The winter chill has tightened its grip on Kolkata even as the city recorded a slight rise in minimum temperature on Wednesday morning. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature increased from 15°C on Tuesday to 15.8°C on Wednesday, which is 0.8°C below normal for this time of the year.

With the onset of December, the picnic season has officially begun in West Bengal. Residents are enjoying the mild sunshine during the day and the pleasant chill in the evenings.

However, weather officials have clarified that there is no immediate sign of the cold abating. Meteorologists predict that the winter spell will continue till December 18, as northerly winds remain unobstructed, ensuring a steady flow of cold air across southern Bengal. The temperature may drop further on Thursday, according to forecasts.

Dense fog is expected during the early hours across most districts of South Bengal, which will gradually clear as the day progresses. While no major fluctuation in temperature is likely, the cold conditions are expected to persist through the week.

On Tuesday, the maximum temperature in Kolkata was recorded at 25.2°C, which is 2.6°C below normal. The humidity levels remained high, ranging between 91% (maximum) and 51% (minimum).

In North Bengal, winter conditions are even more pronounced. The hill town of Darjeeling recorded a minimum temperature of 6.6°C on Tuesday. A large number of tourists are currently flocking to the region to enjoy the crisp mountain air and the breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga. The weather in the hills is expected to remain clear, though light morning fog may continue before visibility improves during the day.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh