The Celsius dropped to 12.4 degrees in Kolkata on Monday, riding strong northwesterly winds.
The minimum temperature was two notches below normal, signaling the onset of another cold spell.
The spell will, however, be short-lived, said a Met official. Another strong western disturbance, tipped to hit the northern and northwestern parts of the country over the weekend, is again likely to cause overcast conditions in south Bengal.
The mercury is likely to remain in the 12-13-degree range over the next three or four days, said the official.
On Sunday, the minimum temperature in Kolkata was 15.1 degrees. Within 24 hours, the mercury slid three degrees because of the strong northwesterly winds.
On Monday, the morning was foggy but the sun came out soon.
“The day was sunny but cold because of the winds,” said the Met official.
The maximum temperature was 22.5 degrees Celsius on Monday, three notches below normal.
Winter in Kolkata is marked by multiple cold spells, interspersed with reasonably warmer conditions.
The current spell is the third such period this winter when the mercury is likely to stay below normal.
The mercury is unlikely to reach a new low this season but the current spell might not be the last for this winter either, according to the forecast.
“North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas are likely to see clouds and some rain over the weekend because of the western disturbance. Overcast conditions are not ruled out for Kolkata as well,” said a Met official.
“But after the system clears, another spell of chill is not ruled out,” he said.
