Cyclone Murasu delays winter onset in West Bengal

The onset of winter in West Bengal has been delayed due to the indirect effects of Cyclone Murasu and a developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Temperatures across the state have remained above normal, with Kolkata recording a maximum temperature of 31.04 degrees Celsius on Monday.

While West Bengal is unlikely to face a direct hit from the cyclone, which made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, the system is expected to influence weather patterns. Scattered rainfall is forecast for several districts in South Bengal, including Kolkata, Howrah, and the 24 Parganas, while parts of North Bengal may also see light rain.

The Alipore Meteorological Department suggests that consistent winter weather in Kolkata may not arrive until the first or second week of December. However, temperatures are expected to begin dipping ahead of Kali Puja on November 8, as cloud cover clears. In North Bengal, seasonal changes are expected to become more noticeable by the second week of November, with Darjeeling and Kalimpong already experiencing colder conditions.