KOLKATA: The city is set to experience its first winter bite next week as the northwesterly wind starts flowing in from Sunday, which is likely to pull down the mercury by 5°C. The minimum temperature could plunge to 17°C-18°C Celsius by Monday, according to the Met office. But the chilly spell is set to end by Wednesday as the northwesterly is expected to lose strength. Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 23.8°C on Friday.
“It’s already quite cool in north India and once the northwesterly starts flowing in, the mercury will drop. We expect a gradual drop in minimum temperature from Sunday. It could slide to 18°C by Monday,” said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) director GK Das.
He added that a high-pressure system has been pulling in moisture that has led to clouds. It is expected to move away by Sunday. While some south Bengal districts have received thunderstorms and light rain under its impact, Kolkata may receive a drizzle on Saturday.