The winter chill has remained largely subdued in West Bengal this season, despite a promising start earlier in January. During the second week of the month, temperatures briefly dropped below 15 degrees Celsius in Kolkata, raising hopes of a sustained cold spell. However, the fall soon stalled, with minimum temperatures remaining largely stagnant across the state.
According to meteorologists, the absence of strong, snow-bearing western disturbances over north India is the primary reason behind the missing winter bite. These systems usually bring rain and heavy snowfall to the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. After a western disturbance passes and skies clear, cold northerly winds typically sweep down from the Himalayas, leading to a sharp fall in temperatures across north, east and parts of south India.
This year, that sequence has not unfolded. The lack of significant rain and snowfall in the Himalayan region has resulted in weaker northerly winds, preventing cold air from reaching eastern India. As a result, winter conditions in West Bengal have remained mild compared to expectations.
There is, however, some indication of change in the coming days. A moderately active western disturbance is expected to affect the Himalayan region from December 20 to December 22, bringing fairly widespread rain and snowfall. Weather experts say that once the system clears around December 23, northerly winds are likely to gain strength.
If conditions evolve as forecast, colder air could finally advance into East India, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures across West Bengal and neighbouring states, potentially ushering in the delayed winter chill.