Kolkata weather update (March 21): IMD warns of rainfall, storms, lightning and 50 kmph winds this weekend in 'City of Joy'. Check full forecast

Kolkata could witness light to moderate thunderstorms with rain and gusty winds on Friday and Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Kolkata and has warned of rainfall, thunderstorms with strong gusty winds at a speed of 40-50 kmph. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 30 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius, respectively.

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Kolkata rain forecast

Kolkata is set for a spell of rain and thunderstorms through the weekend. The MeT office has forecast light to moderate showers across the city till early next week before clearer skies return. Saturday, March 21, is expected to bring more widespread rainfall, with most parts of Kolkata likely to receive showers. Temperatures may dip slightly, with a maximum of 31°C and a minimum of 23°C.


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On 21 March 2026, Kolkata is expected to experience rain or thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds. Thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds reaching 40–50 kmph are likely, making the day unsettled and stormy.

On 22 March 2026, Kolkata will see a partly cloudy sky with relatively stable conditions. Day temperatures may reach around 31°C, while night temperatures may remain near 24°C, with no significant weather warnings.

On 23 March 2026, the city is expected to continue with partly cloudy conditions. Temperatures may range between 24°C at night and 32°C during the day, and the weather is likely to remain calm without any alerts.

On 24 March 2026, Kolkata will witness mainly clear skies. Day temperatures may rise to around 33°C, while night temperatures may stay near 25°C, indicating warm and dry conditions.

On 25 March 2026, mainly clear skies are expected to persist over Kolkata, with similar temperature levels of 33°C during the day and 25°C at night, maintaining stable and warm weather. On 26 March 2026, Kolkata is likely to experience partly cloudy skies again. Temperatures may remain steady, with daytime highs around 33°C and nighttime lows near 25°C, and no weather warnings anticipated.

Kolkata rain

Dry weather is likely to persist on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26, with temperatures rising further to around 35°C and 25°C. By Friday, March 27, the week may end on a warmer note, with the maximum touching 36°C and the minimum around 26°C.

The brief dip in temperature over the next two days is expected to give way to a steady rise, signalling an early hint of summer as March draws to a close. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea along & off West Bengal and North Odisha coast on March 20-21, 2026.

Bengal weather

The IMD has forecast rain and hailstorms with gusty winds in several districts of West Bengal on Saturday. Day temperatures are likely to fall by two to three degrees Celsius across most districts over the next couple of days, it said.

Lightning, thundersqualls with gusty winds reaching speeds of 60-70 kmph, accompanied with hailstorms, are very likely to occur at one or two places over Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Hooghly and Howrah districts in south Bengal, it said.

The India Meteorological Department also warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar and heavy rainfall in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Behar districts of north Bengal. Hailstorms are likely to occur at one or two places in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong districts on Saturday, it said in a bulletin.

(With PTI inputs)