Kolkata, Dec 25 (UNI) Kolkata woke up to a sharp chill on Christmas morning as the minimum temperature dropped to 13.7 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest day of the season so far.
The mercury fell suddenly into the 13-degree range, bringing a clear winter feel across the city.
As the day began, residents stepped out wrapped in sweaters and jackets, heading to popular spots such as the zoo, Eco Park and Science City to enjoy the festive morning in crisp weather.
Dense fog covered parts of the Maidan and the Alipore area in central Kolkata during the early hours of the day.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures may fall further by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next two to three days.
As a result, the chill is expected to continue through the year-end holiday season, offering sustained winter conditions across the state.
The weather office had earlier forecast a drop in temperatures across West Bengal from Christmas onwards, accompanied by stronger northerly winds.
Kolkata’s minimum temperature was 0.8 degrees below normal on Thursday.
The maximum temperature on Wednesday stood at 23.7 degrees Celsius, nearly 2 degrees below the seasonal average.
Meteorologists said that over the next three days, temperatures in south Bengal could dip further before stabilising.
No major fluctuation is expected in the following four days. The weather is likely to remain dry across the state, though fog will persist during morning hours.
In south Bengal, fog conditions were most intense in Purulia, West Bardhaman and Birbhum, where a yellow warning for dense fog was issued.
Visibility in some areas could drop to between 50 and 200 metres. Light to moderate fog was reported in Kolkata and other southern districts as well.
North Bengal also remained under the grip of fog. Dense fog warnings were issued for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur.
Sriniketan was the coldest in south Bengal at 8.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Suri at 9 degrees, Bankura at 9.1 degrees, Bardhaman at 10 degrees and Asansol at 10.4 degrees.
In north Bengal, Darjeeling was the coldest at 4.5 degrees Celsius.
The IMD said Kolkata’s temperature is likely to hover around 13 degrees Celsius till December 30, after which a slight rise may occur.
Kolkata shivers on Christmas morning as temperature drops to season’s lowest
