The assault of heat and humidity seems relentless, yet again. The Met forecast offers little hope.
“Uniform and widespread rain and thunderstorms are unlikely over the next few days. Any rain is likely to be local and brief. Once the showers end, the discomfort index will increase,” said a Met official.
The maximum temperature in Kolkata on Wednesday was 37.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal. The high relative humidity ensured Calcuttans felt much worse than the figure suggested.
The districts were warmer than Kolkata. Bankura, Purulia, Asansol and Birbhum either saw the Celsius knock on the 40-degree mark or breach it.
The next few days are likely to be warmer.
“The maximum temperature in Kolkata is likely to rise by a couple more degrees. In Salt Lake, Dum Dum and Barrackpore, the Celsius might touch the 40-degree mark,” said a Met official.
Usually, more humidity means better chances of thunderstorms. But the moisture that has been making the condition sweaty is only on the surface of the earth, said an official.
“In the upper reaches of the atmosphere, where thunderclouds take shape, hot and dry westerly winds are dominant. Moisture is mainly present in the lower level and on the surface of the earth,” said G.K. Das, director, India Meteorological Department, Kolkata.
The moisture is only causing discomfort but not helping in the formation of strong rain-bearing clouds. Any clouds that may take shape will only be able to cause brief and sporadic local showers, he said.
The state was under a couple of spells of “enhanced thunderstorm activities” in May.
Last week, successive hot and sultry days in the city led to stormy evenings.
But the chances of thunderstorms get dwindled as the monsoon approaches, said a weather scientist.
The usual date of arrival of the monsoon in Kolkata is June 8. But Met officials are still tight-lipped on when the monsoon winds will reach the state.