Kolkata Weather Today: Rain Clouds Set to Dominate City as Thunderstorm Risk Persists

Kolkata is likely to remain under a distinctly monsoon-dominated weather pattern on Tuesday, September 1, with cloudy skies, intermittent rain and the possibility of thunderstorms shaping conditions across the city. The latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates that Kolkata may witness one or two spells of rain or thundershowers during the day, with temperatures remaining relatively subdued amid persistent cloud cover. ⁠

The Alipore weather station recorded a minimum temperature of around 27.7°C on Monday, with humidity touching 88% in the morning and 92% in the evening. The city received about 1 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour observation period, underscoring the damp and humid conditions that have continued across Kolkata. ⁠

For Tuesday, the IMD’s Kolkata forecast points towards a generally cloudy sky accompanied by one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The Alipore forecast places the day’s temperature around 27°C to 32°C, while the Kolkata-Salt Lake forecast indicates a possible range of 27°C to 33°C. ⁠

The bigger concern, however, is not merely the rainfall but the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds. The IMD has specifically flagged the possibility of thunderstorms with wind speeds of around 30–40 kmph for Kolkata on September 1. Such conditions can produce sudden bursts of rain, reduced visibility and temporary disruption to road traffic, particularly during intense spells. ⁠

The wider weather situation over West Bengal is also keeping the atmosphere unsettled. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has issued a warning for Gangetic West Bengal for September 1, covering heavy rain as well as thunderstorm and lightning activity. The warning pattern suggests that the weather system influencing the region will remain active into September 2, although the warning category for Gangetic West Bengal is expected to ease thereafter. ⁠

For Kolkata residents, the combination of rain and high atmospheric moisture could once again make the city feel more uncomfortable than the thermometer suggests. Even when temperatures remain around the low 30s, elevated humidity can make outdoor conditions feel oppressive, particularly when rainfall temporarily gives way to cloudy but moisture-laden air.

Commuters may therefore face a familiar September challenge: rain arriving in short, unpredictable spells rather than remaining continuous throughout the day. Waterlogging could become a concern in vulnerable low-lying pockets if any spell turns intense, while traffic movement may slow considerably during thunderstorms. Motorists and two-wheeler riders should exercise additional caution on wet roads, particularly when visibility deteriorates during heavy showers.

The weather is not expected to turn completely dry immediately. The IMD’s city forecast indicates generally cloudy conditions with light rain continuing through September 2, with similar light-rain possibilities persisting over the following few days. Temperatures could gradually edge upward as the intensity of the rain decreases. ⁠

For Kolkata, therefore, the first day of September is shaping up as another reminder that the monsoon is not yet ready to loosen its grip. The city can expect a grey, humid and occasionally wet Tuesday, with thunderstorms and lightning remaining the key weather hazards. Residents heading out should keep rain protection handy and remain alert to sudden changes in the sky, particularly during periods of thunder and gusty winds. ⁠