The mercury is set to slide in Kolkata, after a long gap.
The minimum temperature on Sunday was 17.2 degrees, two notches down from the day before but still significantly higher than the usual minimum temperature for this time of the year.
The Celsius is set to go down slightly in the next couple of days. But after a brief possible rise on Wednesday, it is likely to come down again and stay on the lower side, according to the Met forecast.
"A high-pressure zone over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas has dissipated. As a result, the cold northwesterly winds are blowing again through Kolkata. But they are yet to pick up steam," said G.K. Das, director, India Meteorological Department, Kolkata.
“There is an active western disturbance over northwest India, triggering rain in Kashmir. The system is likely to be gone by Wednesday. After that, cold winds will again gain intensity and drag the Celsius down.”
From Thursday, the minimum temperature is likely to stay in the range of 15 degrees, the usual in February in Kolkata, for some time. The days are likely to be warm, with the maximum temperature hovering around 27 degrees.
The beginning of January was cold in Kolkata.
On January 6, the city shivered as the Celsius plummeted to 10.9 degrees Celsius, the coldest January day in five years. The northwesterly winds had free access to the city back then.
But a high-pressure zone took shape over the Bay in the second week of January and persisted for a long time, making the second half of the month unusually hot in Kolkata.
Till Saturday, one of the most common sights on the streets in Kolkata was people walking with warm clothes in their hands. But on Sunday, the woollens were back in the morning and evening.
Kolkatans made most of the weather. The usual favourites, Alipore zoo, Victoria Memorial and Eco Park, were crowded. Movie halls had long queues and picnic spots were booked.