From Friday to Sunday, West Bengal is expected to see another strong spell of Kal Baisakhi, with thunderstorms, hail and wind speeds up to 50–60 km/h in several districts of North and South Bengal. While temperatures are likely to rise before the rain, a drop of 2–4°C is expected once showers begin.
West Bengal weather this weekend
As March draws to a close, you would normally expect West Bengal to be baking under an early summer sun. Yet this year, summer seems to be stuck at the doorstep. Instead of relentless heat, we’re watching one rain spell after another march across the state, driven largely by back-to-back western disturbances.
And now, as we head into the weekend, Kal Baisakhi is preparing for another dramatic comeback.
A Season That Refuses to Settle
If you live in Kolkata or anywhere in Bengal, you’ve probably felt it already: that strange, unsettled weather. One day is pleasant and breezy, the next is sticky and uncomfortable, and by evening the sky darkens as if a storm scene has been scripted for us.
According to the Alipore Meteorological Office, a fresh pair of western disturbances is all set to trigger another round of thunderstorms and rain across West Bengal. In simple terms: expect an active, noisy sky this weekend.
North Bengal: Heavy Rain, Hail and Strong Winds
The real action, once again, is expected in North Bengal. The forecast suggests:
- Orange alert has been issued for parts of North Bengal due to the likelihood of heavy rain.
- Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are under a heavy rainfall warning.
- Darjeeling and Kalimpong may also see hailstorms, which could damage crops and disrupt normal life.
- On Friday, wind speeds may reach 50–60 km/h in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
- North and South Dinajpur and Malda are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds around 40–50 km/h.
In other words, North Bengal is heading into a potentially turbulent spell. For the hill districts, this is almost textbook pre-monsoon behaviour: heavy showers, lightning, strong winds and, at higher elevations, a real risk of hail.
From an opinion standpoint, this is where we need to get serious about preparedness. Hail and strong winds can mean:
- Damage to tea gardens, orchards and standing crops
- Disruption of mountain roads and local transport
- Power lines and fragile infrastructure under stress again
We celebrate Kal Baisakhi for its drama, but it also reminds us how vulnerable our hilly and foothill regions really are.
Weekend Trend in North Bengal
- Wednesday & Thursday: Thunderstorms with light squally winds (around 30–40 km/h) possible in the northern five districts.
- Friday: The peak day for heavy rain, hail and strong winds (up to 50–60 km/h in several districts).
- Saturday & Sunday: Thunderstorms and rain likely to continue, but wind speeds are expected to gradually decrease to around 30–50 km/h.
Even as the storms ease, scattered thunderstorms with lightning are likely across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri through the weekend.
South Bengal: Sticky Heat by Day, Storm Threat by Night
In South Bengal, the story is more complicated. Mornings, for now, are generally pleasant. But as the day progresses, the humidity steadily climbs, and by afternoon the discomfort becomes hard to ignore.
Up to Thursday, the forecast suggests only isolated light thunderstorms with lightning at a few places, mainly:
- Purulia
- Bankura
- Jhargram
- West Medinipur
However, the bigger twist comes from Friday to Sunday, when:
- A fresh spell of Kal Baisakhi-type storms is likely over many districts of South Bengal.
- On Friday, a yellow alert is in place for thunderstorm and hail in four districts:
- Purulia
- Bankura
- Jhargram
- Parts of West Bardhaman
Here, wind speeds may reach 50–60 km/h with thunder, lightning and possible hail.
- For Kolkata and the remaining South Bengal districts, wind speeds of 40–50 km/h with thunderstorms and lightning are expected.
On Saturday and Sunday, almost all South Bengal districts are likely to receive thunderstorms and rain. The focus of stronger activity, as per current indications, may be over:
- North 24 Parganas
- South 24 Parganas
- Nadia
- Murshidabad
Gusty winds in the 30–50 km/h range could accompany these storms.
From a resident’s perspective, this means a familiar pattern: a warm, humid buildup through the day, followed by a potentially dramatic evening sky, sharp wind, and brief but intense downpour.
Kolkata: Between Relief and Restlessness
Kolkata, as always, sits somewhere between relief and restlessness.
For now, the maximum temperature in the city remains a few degrees below normal, while the minimum (night) temperature is slightly above normal. That combination gives us warm nights, relatively tolerable days and an overall sticky feeling, especially in closed spaces and crowded areas.
The forecast for Kolkata:
- Today (Wednesday): Partly cloudy sky with a maximum temperature around 33°C and a minimum of about 25°C.
- Relative humidity is expected to fluctuate between 52% and 99%, which explains the oppressive feel when there’s no breeze.
- Wednesday & Thursday: Largely clear skies, with some cloud, but no major storm activity expected.
- From Friday: Sky becoming partly cloudy, with another spell of thunderstorms and rain likely from Friday to Sunday.
- Kal Baisakhi is possible over the weekend, especially on Saturday and Sunday, when the probability of storms is higher.
Over the next 48 hours, the maximum temperature is expected to rise slightly, pushing daytime discomfort levels up until the rains arrive. Once the storms break, the temperature could drop by 2–4°C, offering temporary relief.
In practical terms: expect hot, humid afternoons in Kolkata, followed by the possibility of evening or night-time thunderstorms this weekend.
What This Means for Your Weekend Plans
Putting the forecasts together, here’s how you should look at West Bengal’s weekend weather:
- Not a “picnic-friendly” weekend in the hills or in storm-prone districts. If you’re planning a drive towards Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri or Alipurduar, stay alert to weather updates. Heavy rain, hail and gusty winds can quickly spoil travel plans and create hazards on the road.
- For Kolkata and South Bengal towns, outdoor evening events come with risk. A sudden Kal Baisakhi can bring down branches, disrupt power, soak open-air programs and make commuting chaotic.
- Farmers in both North and South Bengal need to be especially cautious about hail and strong winds. Harvested crops left in the open, tender vegetables and fruit can be badly damaged in a matter of minutes.
- Urban residents should secure loose items on balconies and rooftops and be careful around old, weak trees and poorly maintained hoardings.
This is the part we often ignore: we love watching Kal Baisakhi from our windows, but we rarely prepare as if it’s a serious weather event. Yet every year, wind, lightning and falling branches claim lives and damage property across the state.
The Larger Picture: Summer on Hold, or Just Delayed?
What’s interesting this year is how the succession of western disturbances has repeatedly interrupted the usual pre-summer heat build-up. Instead of a straight climb in temperature through March, we’ve had a stop–start pattern:
- Temperature creeps up.
- A new disturbance arrives.
- Cloudy skies, rain and storms drag the mercury down a bit.
- As soon as the system passes, the heat and humidity climb again.
In the short term, many people feel this is a blessing. “At least we’re not at 40°C yet,” is a common refrain in Kolkata tea stalls and office canteens. But there is another side to this story:
- Farmers face uncertainty: irregular rain and hail at the wrong time can be worse than a predictable dry spell.
- Urban infrastructure is exposed to repeated storm stress: loose cables, ageing trees and fragile billboards are tested again and again.
- The human body also finds it hard to adapt to frequent swings between cool, damp conditions and hot, humid spells.
Kal Baisakhi has always been part of Bengal’s seasonal identity—poets romanticise it, photographers chase it, and children watch in awe as the sky turns almost black at 4 PM. But as weather patterns become more erratic, the line between “seasonal storm” and “disruptive weather event” starts to blur.
How to Stay Prepared
Whether you live in North Bengal’s hills or the plains of South Bengal, a few simple steps can make the coming weekend safer and more comfortable:
- Track local forecasts: Do not rely only on hearsay or older reports. Check the latest updates from the Meteorological Department, especially if you’re travelling.
- Avoid open fields during lightning: Farmers, outdoor workers and children playing in open grounds are particularly vulnerable.
- Secure loose items on rooftops and balconies: Plastic sheets, flower pots, light furniture and hoardings can become dangerous projectiles in 50–60 km/h gusts.
- Unplug sensitive electronics during intense lightning and thunder if possible, and avoid using wired devices.
- Plan travel carefully: For hill roads and riverine areas, heavy rain and hail can reduce visibility and create slippery conditions.
Final Word: A Dramatic, Unsettled March End
As we step into the final week of March, West Bengal is once again reminded that the transition from spring to summer here is rarely gentle. This year, western disturbances and Kal Baisakhi have turned the sky into a stage of constant change—blue one moment, menacingly dark the next.
For North Bengal, the alerts for heavy rain, hail and strong winds are a serious signal to prepare. For South Bengal and Kolkata, the message is more mixed: expect rising heat and humidity, but also be ready for sharp, evening storms that can both soothe and disrupt.
If there is one takeaway from this weekend forecast, it is this: enjoy the drama of Kal Baisakhi, but don’t underestimate it. Keep one eye on the sky—and the other on Bengal24x7, the latest weather update.
