Climate of Kolkata

Kolkata
Climate chart (explanation)
Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header Template:Climate chart/month header     17     25 13     23     30 17     33     34 22     48     36 25     102     36 26     260     34 27     332     32 26     329     32 26     296     32 26     151     32 24     26     30 20     17     27 15 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: IMD
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.7     76 56     0.9     85 62     1.3     93 71     1.9     97 77     4     97 80     10     93 80     13     90 79     13     90 79     12     90 78     6     89 75     1     86 67     0.7     81 58 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Howrah Bridge seen from Chotelal Ki Ghat, Kolkata, India.

Howrah Bridge seen from Chotelal Ki Ghat, Kolkata, India.

Kolkata has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). The annual mean temperature is ; monthly mean temperatures range from . Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the low 30's and during dry spells the maximum temperatures often exceed during May and June. Winter tends to last for only about two and a half months, with seasonal lows dipping to between December and January. The highest recorded temperature is and the lowest is . Often during early summer (mid-March to mid-May), dusty squalls followed by spells of thunderstorm and heavy rains lash the city, bringing relief from the humid heat. These thunderstorms are convective in nature, and is locally known as Kal Baisakhi (, Nor'westers).

Rains brought by the Bay of Bengal branch of South-West monsoon lash the city between June and September and supplies the city with most of its annual rainfall of . The highest rainfall occurs during the monsoon in July and August interchangeably. The city receives 2578 hours of sunshine per annum, with the maximum sunlight occurring in March. Pollution is a major concern in Kolkata, and the Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) level is high when compared to other major cities of India, leading to regular smog and haze. Severe air pollution in the city has caused a rise in pollution-related respiratory ailments such as lung cancer.

Weather Monitoring Stations

Alipore is the major station, which is an international station. But there are also two stations at Dum Dum and Salt Lake.