Kolkata Weather Today: Rain Continues, Thunderstorms and Gusty Winds Keep City on Alert

Kolkata is waking up to another unsettled monsoon morning on Friday, September 4, with rain and thick cloud cover continuing to dominate the city’s weather. After a spell of intense rainfall earlier this week that left several parts of the metropolis waterlogged, the weather is showing some signs of moderation, but the respite is far from complete. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy conditions with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers in Kolkata today, while thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of around 30–40 kmph remain a concern. ⁠

According to the latest IMD city forecast, Kolkata is likely to record a minimum temperature of around 26°C and a maximum of about 32°C on Friday. The combination of persistent cloudiness, rainfall and high atmospheric moisture is expected to keep conditions damp and uncomfortable despite the relatively restrained daytime temperature. The IMD forecast indicates that the city may receive rain in spells rather than experiencing uninterrupted downpours throughout the day. ⁠

The latest weather developments come after a particularly wet stretch for the city. Kolkata recorded 78.2 mm of rainfall in the latest 24-hour period reported on Thursday, according to the Indian Express, with the Alipore weather station registering close to 80 mm. The heavy rain was accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, prompting an orange alert for Kolkata and several other districts of south Bengal. ⁠

The rainfall has already had a visible impact on everyday life. Waterlogging in low-lying pockets, slower traffic movement and difficulties for pedestrians have remained recurring problems following the recent heavy showers. With the ground already saturated in several locations, even a fresh burst of moderate rain could temporarily worsen water accumulation on roads and disrupt traffic during busy hours.

The meteorological situation over Bengal remains active. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has issued a fresh warning for September 4, indicating the possibility of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and squally conditions over Gangetic West Bengal. The warning is also being maintained for Saturday, September 5, suggesting that the atmosphere over southern Bengal is unlikely to settle immediately. ⁠

For Kolkata, however, the immediate outlook is somewhat more nuanced than the worst phase of the week. The city’s forecast points towards cloudy skies and intermittent rain rather than continuous extreme rainfall. The weather office has projected a maximum temperature of around 32°C, meaning the cloud cover and showers should prevent the mercury from climbing sharply during the day. ⁠

The contrast between the temperature and the humidity will nevertheless remain noticeable. Even when rain temporarily cools the streets, moisture-laden air can make the city feel sticky once the showers weaken. A brief break in rainfall may therefore bring only limited relief from the familiar September combination of humidity and dampness.

Residents should remain particularly cautious during thunderstorms. Gusty winds can make conditions hazardous around trees, temporary structures, billboards and construction areas, while lightning poses an additional risk in open spaces. Commuters heading out during periods of intense rain would be better served by allowing extra travel time and avoiding unnecessary exposure during lightning activity.

The rain story is also not expected to end immediately. The IMD’s broader Gangetic West Bengal warning keeps September 5 under heavy-rain and thunderstorm-related alerts, while conditions are expected to become comparatively less hazardous in the following days before another spell of rainfall becomes possible around September 8. ⁠

For Kolkata, Friday therefore looks less like a complete break from the monsoon and more like a transition from the week’s intense downpour towards a more intermittent wet spell. The city may get periods of relief between showers, but the combination of saturated ground, cloudy skies and the continuing possibility of thunderstorms means residents cannot yet put away their umbrellas.

Kolkata’s Friday weather will remain distinctly monsoonal — cloudy, humid and periodically wet, with thunderstorms and gusty winds still possible. While the intensity may ease compared with the heaviest rainfall witnessed earlier in the week, the weather system remains active enough to cause localised waterlogging and travel disruption. Residents should keep rain protection handy and stay alert to fresh IMD warnings, particularly during thunderstorm activity. ⁠