Climate of West Bengal
The climate of West Bengal varies from tropical savannah in the southern portions to humid subtropical in the north.
Seasons
There are five main seasons in West Bengal: spring, summer, rainy season, a short autumn, and winter.
Spring
A short spring is expected in some parts of the state, especially in the northern parts North Bengal. That is the time when Holi takes place.
Summer
Period
The summer season is observed from March to May in most of the parts of Bengal.
Temperature
In most places, summer is extremely hot. The plains of South Bengal feels hot and humid conditions with daily maximum temperature around 35-38 °C.[1][2]Sometimes it nears or crosses 40 °C.[3][4][5][6][7] The western highlands experience a dry summer like northern India. Here day temperature ranges from 38 to 42 °C. Though it can go above or near 45 °C.[8][9][10][11][12] On the other hand, when the Western and Southern Bengal is burning in summer heat, the plains of northern part of North Bengal is generally cooler.[13][14][15] In this area, the daily maximum temperature varies from 26 to 32 °C.[16]It occasionally crosses 35 °C. The summer minimum temperature here remains 18-22 °C. The Darjeeling hill region is the coolest area in summer. Here, the daily highest temperature is 15-25 °C.
Rainfall
In South Bengal, kalbaishakhi storm brings some rainfall due to deep low pressure while the Himalayan region and Terai dooars plains get heavy rainfall during this period.
Average temperature and Rainfall for some cities in summer(March to May)[17]
| City | Average temperature (°C) | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling | 13.1 | 446 |
| Siliguri | 24.2 | 447 |
| Jalpaiguri | 24.0 | 453 |
| Malda | 28.3 | 188 |
| Shantiniketan | 29.4 | 264 |
| Behrampore | 29.3 | 136 |
| Krishnagar | 29.5 | 96 |
| Asansol | 30.0 | 114 |
| Bankura | 29.9 | 146 |
| Kolkata | 29.8 | 227 |
| Digha | 28.4 | 214 |
| West Bengal | 26.9 | 248.3 |
Monsoon
Period
In the middle of June, the south west monsoon wind enters West Bengal and the monsoon starts.[18]It continues until the end of September.
Temperature
In most places, the temperature graph bends downward as the sky gets cloudy. But the graph of mountains and Terai dooars plains gradually increases until August.
The maximum temperature of South Bengal plains and Western highlands is 32 °C,[19]31 °C in North Bengal plains and around 19-20 °C in mountains. Sometimes, when the sky gets clear, which is known as monsoon break, the temperature rises suddenly. This incident occurs mostly in North Bengal plains and in mountains in July and August, when the temperature soars over 36 °C and 24 °C respectively.[20][21][22][23][24]
Rainfall
Most of the annual average rainfall occurs during this period. Heavy rainfall of above 250 cm is observed in the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar district.[25][26][27][28][29]Later, blowing westwards, the winds cause average rainfall of 125 cm in the northern plains and western plateau region.
Average temperature and Rainfall for some cities in monsoons(June to September)
| City | Average temperature (°C) | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling | 16.4 | 2796 |
| Siliguri | 28.1 | 2651 |
| Jalpaiguri | 28.0 | 2674 |
| Malda | 29.6 | 1207 |
| Shantiniketan | 29.4 | 1510 |
| Behrampore | 30.2 | 1036 |
| Krishnagar | 29.4 | 1348 |
| Asansol | 29.5 | 1140 |
| Bankura | 30.3 | 1227 |
| Kolkata | 29.6 | 1358 |
| Digha | 29.1 | 1192 |
| West Bengal | 28.1 | 1649.0 |
Autumn
Period
Autumn lasts for two months, October and November.
Temperature
In autumn, the south west monsoon wind returns and clears the sky. So, the state gets enough sunshine to be warm in day and releases a lot of heat to be cool at night.
In this time, a maximum temperature of 30-33 °C is felt over the plains and 17-19 °C in mountains. The minimum temperature is normally around 19-22 °C in plains and 6-11 °C in mountains.[30]Sometimes, cold waves blow over the state in autumn.[31][32][33]
Rainfall
In autumn, the south west monsoon wind returns, and north east monsoon wind starts entering West Bengal. Due to their collision in Bay of Bengal, some cyclones are created.[34][35] The cyclones cause some rainfall in the state.
Average temperature and Rainfall for some cities in autumn(October and November)
| City | Average temperature (°C) | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling | 13.4 | 74 |
| Siliguri | 23.2 | 181 |
| Jalpaiguri | 23.6 | 169 |
| Malda | 26.2 | 132 |
| Shantiniketan | 25.3 | 212 |
| Behrampore | 26.2 | 146 |
| Krishnagar | 26.5 | 175 |
| Asansol | 24.8 | 125 |
| Bankura | 25.9 | 94 |
| Kolkata | 26.6 | 216 |
| Digha | 25.9 | 240 |
| West Bengal | 24.3 | 160.4 |
Winter
Period
The winter season usually sets in December and ends in February.[36]
Temperature
In winter, a mild temperature is felt over the plains. The maximum temperature goes 23-26 °C and the minimum temperature remains 9-15 °C in plains of the state. In mountains, winter is severe with the maximum and minimum temperature ranging between 0-12 °C. Higher regions of the Darjeeling Himalayas gets heavy snowfall during winter.[37][38][39]
Though, the night temperatures of western highlands can drop 7-9 °C,[40][41][42]4-7 °C in Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar plains[43][44][45][46]and 10-11 °C in Kolkata,[47][48][49][50] the capital city when cold waves blow. Darjeeling city's temperature drops below freezing point.
Rainfall
Winter is generally dry. Most of the days are sunny. Occasionally slight rainfall occurs under the influence of low depressions in northwest India. These are known as western disturbances.
Average temperature and Rainfall for some cities in Winter(December to February)
| City | Average temperature (°C) | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling | 7.6 | 30 |
| Siliguri | 17.3 | 60 |
| Jalpaiguri | 18.9 | 36 |
| Malda | 20.6 | 27 |
| Shantiniketan | 19.7 | 44 |
| Behrampore | 20.6 | 32 |
| Krishnagar | 20.5 | 29 |
| Asansol | 19.7 | 46 |
| Bankura | 20.1 | 42 |
| Kolkata | 21.6 | 35 |
| Digha | 21.1 | 43 |
| West Bengal | 17.0 | 38.5 |
Extremes
Sources: India Meteorological Department[51][52]
Highest Temperature
The chart below shows the highest recorded temperatures for all months in West Bengal, with place and date.
| Month | Highest Recorded Temperature(°C) | Place | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36.8 | Krishnagar | 1 January 1977 |
| February | 39.3 | Bankura | 26 February 2006 |
| March | 44.5 | Behrampore | 27 March 1980 |
| April | 46.7 | Bankura | 23 April 2016 |
| May | 48.3 | Behrampore | 23 May 1981 |
| June | 47.8 | Suri | 10 June 1966 |
| July | 43.0 | Krishnagar | 22 July 1994 |
| August | 48.3 | Behrampore | 2 August 1981 |
| September | 41.0 | Coochbehar | 11 September 1977 |
| October | 40.5 | Malda | 1 October 1978 |
| November | 38.5 | Bagati | 6 November 1976 |
| December | 36.5 | Bagati | 30 December 1984 |
| West Bengal | 48.3 | Behrampore | 23 May 1981 & 2 August 1981 |
Lowest Temperature
The chart below shows the lowest recorded temperatures for all months in West Bengal, with place and date.
| Month | Lowest Recorded Temperature(°C) | Place | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7.2 | Darjeeling | 30 January 1971 |
| February | -6.4 | Darjeeling | 2 February 1971 |
| March | -4.8 | Darjeeling | 1 March 1971 |
| April | 0.0 | Darjeeling | 16 April 1971 |
| May | 1.4 | Darjeeling | 1 May 1981 |
| June | 4.6 | Kalimpong | 14 June 1991 |
| July | 3.9 | Darjeeling | 26 July 1944 |
| August | 7.4 | Kalimpong | 24 August 1971 |
| September | 5.9 | Kalimpong | 10 September 1991 |
| October | 3.2 | Darjeeling | 31 October 1972 |
| November | -4.4 | Darjeeling | 26 November 1970 |
| December | -4.6 | Darjeeling | 29 December 1970 |
| West Bengal | -7.2 | Darjeeling | 30 January 1971 |
Temperature
The Tropic of Cancer passes 6 km north of Nabadwip, so, according to latitude, the northern part of the state falls in the temperate belt and the southern part fall in the tropical belt. But the southern part receives adequate rainfall and because of maritime influence is not severely hot. Barring the mountainous parts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, the entire state experiences a warm wet tropical monsoon climate. Regional differences are visible in the climate. In the western plateau region, rainfall is low and variations in temperature are more common; maritime influence in the coastal region makes the climate here moderate and pleasant. The summer temperatures in the state ranges between 26 °C (79 °F) and 43 °C (109 °F) while the winter temperatures range from 10 °C (50 °F) to 19 °C (66 °F).
Rainfall
The annual rainfall varies in the different parts of the state. North Bengal receives the highest rainfall, 200 to 400 cm. In the coastal areas rainfall is about 200 cm, in the Ganga plain and in the central part of the state rainfall is about 150–200 cm and in the western plateau region the amount of rainfall received is about 100 to 125 cm. Drought is a common phenomenon in the Bankura and Purulia districts. Rainfall that occurs in the Summer months often bring about heavy storms called Kalbaishakhi.
Cyclones affecting West Bengal
| Name | Lowest Pressure (mbar) | Year | Winds(in km/h) | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 Bhola Cyclone | 966 | 1970 |  | |
| BOB 03 | 964 | 1981 |  | |
| BOB 07 | 994 | 1997 |  | |
| BOB 06 | 984 | 1998 |  | |
| BOB 04 | 998 | 2000 |  | |
| BOB 03 | 970 | 2002 | 100 |  |
| Sidr | 944 | 2007 | 215 |  |
| Rashmi | 996 | 2008 | 85 |  |
| Aila | 970 | 2009 | 120 |  |
| Komen | 986 | 2015 | 75 |  |
| Roanu | 983 | 2016 | 85 |  |
| Mora | 978 | 2017 | 110 |  |
| Amphan | 925 | 2020 | 240 |
Mountainous region
Because of high altitude, the mountainous parts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts experience a cool temperate kind of climate. The average temperature in summer is about 15 °C (59 °F), and winter temperature is about 2 °C (36 °F). Snowfall occurs in some part of this region. Being obstructed by the Himalayas, the region receives heavy rainfall. Due to the scenic beauty and temperate climate of the region, a huge number of tourists visit the areas. Here Kalimpong is another hill station which is visited by many tourists in all seasons for its scenic beauty and the averagely cool temperature throughout the year.
Influences
Adequate rainfall in the plains of West Bengal influences crop production. The hot wet climate is good for the production of rice and jute. Higher rainfall received in the northern mountainous region is favourable for the production of tea, which is popular all over the world. Pulses and oilseeds are also produced in large quantities.
The people prefer to wear loose and thin cotton clothes because of the hot humid climate. Rice and fish the staple food of the Bengalis because they are easy to digest in this climate and are easily available.[citation needed] The hot and humid climate hampers the efficiency of the people, as the people tend to get tired easily. For protection against heavy rainfall and snowfall in the north, the people live in houses with sloping roofs.
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