Climate of Kolkata
Kolkata has a tropical savanna climate. The annual mean temperature is ; monthly mean temperatures range from. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the low 30's and during dry spells the maximum temperatures often exceed during May and June. Winter tends to last for only about two and a half months, with seasonal lows dipping to between December and January. The highest recorded temperature is and the lowest is. Often during early summer, dusty squalls followed by spells of thunderstorm and heavy rains lash the city, bringing relief from the humid heat. These thunderstorms are convective in nature, and is locally known as Kal Baisakhi.
Rains brought by the Bay of Bengal branch of South-West monsoon lash the city between June and September and supplies the city with most of its annual rainfall of. The highest rainfall occurs during the monsoon in July and August interchangeably. The city receives 2,234 hours of sunshine per annum, with the maximum sunlight occurring in April. Pollution is a major concern in Kolkata, and the Suspended Particulate Matter level is high when compared to other major cities of India, leading to regular smog and haze. Severe air pollution in the city has caused a rise in pollution-related respiratory ailments such as lung cancer.