Kolkata is stepping firmly into summer, with temperatures inching up and humidity tightening its grip on the city.
Friday, April 3, began under a mainly clear sky, with clouds gathering gradually through the afternoon and evening, raising the chance of a thundery spell later in the day.
The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 36 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may settle near 27 degrees.
Observations from the past 24 hours show the day temperature at 35 degrees, slightly above normal, and the night temperature at 26.2 degrees, also on the higher side. Moisture in the air remains pronounced, with relative humidity ranging between 92 per cent and 49 per cent, adding to the discomfort despite the absence of rainfall.
The larger picture for the week suggests a steady build-up of heat before relief arrives in phases. According to the seven-day outlook, dry weather is set to persist over Kolkata on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, keeping daytime temperatures elevated. A change is expected from Monday, April 6, when light rain or thundershowers may occur in isolated pockets.
From Tuesday, April 7, through Thursday, April 9, the city is likely to see more widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers, which could bring a marginal dip of around 3 to 4 degrees in daytime temperatures. Gusty winds and lightning may accompany these spells in parts of the city and adjoining districts.
Until then, the familiar combination of heat and humidity is set to dominate. The advisory remains to limit exposure to sunlight during peak afternoon hours as Kolkata settles into the first sustained stretch of summer this year.