Shrayan Sen
West Bengal is preparing for its first major winter spell of the season as the skies clear from December 3, allowing uninterrupted sunshine. A cold wave at this early stage of December is highly unusual. Under normal climatic patterns, such cold conditions are observed only from the last week of December onward.
This early cold wave will particularly impact the western districts — Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, West Midnapore, and West Burdwan — where nighttime temperatures are expected to fall below 10°C. Purulia, which routinely records lower winter temperatures than the rest of the state, may see the mercury dropping to about 7°C in some interior zones. This would place the region well into cold wave conditions earlier than typical seasonal timing.
Kolkata will experience a noticeable decline, with minimum temperatures likely to reach around 14°C. Surrounding areas, including Howrah, Hooghly, and parts of North and South 24 Parganas, may hover closer to the 10°C mark. For residents accustomed to a gradual cooling process in mid-December, this sudden temperature shift is expected to feel significantly sharper.
Meteorologists attribute the development to a sustained flow of dry, cold north-westerly winds from the northern plains of India. The lack of cloud cover and moisture enables rapid heat loss during night hours, intensifying the cold sensation in the early morning and late evening.
Long-range models suggest that this early onset may set the tone for a stronger-than-average winter season in Bengal, although further atmospheric patterns will determine how persistent the cold trend remains. Residents and local administrations are taking note of the unusual timing, as schools, rural communities, and healthcare networks prepare for colder conditions ahead of the typical winter calendar.