KOLKATA: October has arrived, but Kolkata is yet to fully shed its monsoon character. The city is likely to begin Thursday, October 1, with a mix of cloud cover, humidity and warmth, while a spell of light rain remains possible in parts of the city. The latest available forecast from the India Meteorological Department’s Kolkata-Alipore station puts the day’s temperature around 26°C to 33°C, with generally cloudy conditions and the possibility of light rain. No severe-weather warning is indicated for the city in the forecast. 

The more noticeable feature of Thursday’s weather, however, may not be rainfall but the persistent humidity. Even when the sun remains hidden behind clouds, Kolkata’s familiar post-monsoon stickiness can make the afternoon feel considerably warmer than the thermometer suggests. A weather update issued on September 30 also indicated that Kolkata could see temperatures in the broad range of 27°C to 34°C, with high moisture levels adding to discomfort. 

The forecast suggests that residents should not expect a dramatic washout across the city. Instead, the weather is likely to remain changeable, with cloudy or partly cloudy skies dominating and only isolated light showers possible. The Alipore weather office, as reported in the latest local update, has not indicated any major rainfall spell or severe-weather alert for Kolkata at present. 

This makes Thursday’s weather something of a transition day for the city. Kolkata is moving deeper into autumn, yet the atmosphere still retains enough moisture to produce occasional showers. The result is a familiar combination for residents: warm afternoons, humid air and the possibility of a sudden drizzle rather than prolonged heavy rain.

There is also a broader seasonal story behind the changing weather. The southwest monsoon has begun its withdrawal from parts of the country, marking the gradual shift towards the post-monsoon pattern. But the retreat of the monsoon does not mean that rain disappears from Kolkata overnight. Weather systems over eastern India and moisture from the Bay of Bengal can continue to influence local conditions even as the season changes. 

For Kolkata, this transition comes after an unusually wet September. Recent reporting based on Alipore observations said the city had recorded 547.9 mm of rain between September 1 and 25, more than twice the normal rainfall for that period of 265.2 mm. The unusually high rainfall has contributed to the city’s surplus rainfall for the broader monsoon season.  The Times of India has separately reported that Kolkata and much of south Bengal ended the 2026 monsoon season with rainfall well above what might have been expected despite the broader national rainfall deficit. 

That history matters because it explains why the arrival of October may not immediately bring the crisp, comfortable autumn mornings many Kolkata residents associate with the Puja season. The ground remains moist, the air retains substantial moisture and daytime temperatures remain elevated. Even after a cloudy morning, the afternoon can turn distinctly sultry.

Independent weather guidance for Thursday also points towards a warm day with some chance of passing showers, with temperatures around 34°C at the upper end of the forecast. This is broadly consistent with the expectation that Kolkata will remain warm even as rainfall becomes less widespread. 

For commuters, the weather could therefore remain relatively manageable compared with a day of sustained heavy rain, but the possibility of a sudden shower means an umbrella may still be useful. Roads could become slippery during brief spells of rain, while high humidity may make afternoon travel uncomfortable. Those planning outdoor activities or Puja shopping may find the early part of the day more comfortable than the warmer afternoon hours.

The coming days are expected to retain this warm-and-changeable character rather than immediately turning cooler. Current extended forecasts keep daytime temperatures broadly in the mid-30s, with occasional chances of showers continuing into the first part of October. 

For Kolkata, then, October 1 is unlikely to mark a sudden break from the weather pattern of September. Instead, the city appears to be entering a slower seasonal transition — less of the prolonged monsoon rain, but still plenty of humidity and enough atmospheric moisture for occasional showers.

And with Durga Puja drawing closer, that distinction will matter. The question for Kolkata is no longer simply whether the monsoon is retreating, but how quickly the city’s humid, rain-fed atmosphere gives way to the clearer skies and more comfortable conditions traditionally associated with the Puja season. For Thursday, the message from the latest forecasts is relatively straightforward: keep the umbrella nearby, prepare for another warm and humid day, but there is currently no indication of a major rain spell or severe weather over Kolkata.