Weather Office Warns of Possible 4°C Temperature and Five Cold Waves in January

Temperatures across the country could drop to as low as 4 degrees Celsius in January, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned. The department has forecasted that a total of five cold waves may sweep across different parts of the country during the month.

Director of the Meteorological Department Md Mominul Islam told the media: "A total of five cold waves may pass over various regions of the country. Among them, two to three cold waves are likely to be mild to moderate (8-10°C to 6-8°C), while one to two could be moderate to severe (6-8°C to 4-6°C)."

According to the Met Office forecast, there is no possibility of any cyclone or low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal. Major rivers across the country will maintain normal water flow in January.

Meanwhile, the 120-hour weather forecast issued at 9:00 am on Friday states that dense fog may temporarily disrupt aviation, inland waterway transport, and road communication. At the same time, the impact of the ongoing mild cold wave over several districts could spread further. In addition, temperatures in various parts of the country may continue to decrease in the coming days.

Five-Day Weather Forecast 2 January: The sky may remain partly cloudy temporarily, with dry weather across the country. Moderate to dense fog is likely from midnight to morning in many places, and it may continue until noon in some areas. Dense fog may temporarily disrupt aviation, inland waterway transport, and road communication. Mild cold wave is currently blowing over Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Panchagarh, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia districts, and it may ease in some places. Night temperatures may rise slightly, while day temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

3 January: Dry weather is likely across the country from 9:00 am. Moderate to dense fog may occur from midnight to morning in many places, and it may persist until noon in some areas. Communication systems may face disruptions due to fog. Night temperatures may rise slightly, while day temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

4 January onwards: The sky may remain partly cloudy, with dry weather across the country. Moderate to dense fog is likely from midnight to morning in river basins in some places, while light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere. Night and day temperatures may decrease slightly during this period.

5 January and 6 January: Similar weather conditions are expected to continue. The sky will remain partly cloudy with dry weather across the country. Moderate to dense fog is likely from midnight to morning in river basins in some places. On the fifth day, night temperatures may decrease slightly, while day temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

Dense fog has enveloped most parts of the country, with no sign of the sun. Cold weather has severely affected daily wage earners. Although the Met Office provided some temporary relief, it has once again delivered bad news about winter.

The department has stated that while night minimum temperatures may rise gradually until 5 January, winter intensity could increase again from the morning of 6 January, and severe cold waves may occur in some places by 12 January.

Speaking exclusively to The Daily Campus on Friday morning, Meteorologist Dr Md Omar Faruque of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department shared these details.

He said: "Although most parts of the country are currently covered in thick fog, the situation is expected to normalise somewhat by afternoon. Fog has already cleared in some parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions. Fog has also lifted in parts of Sylhet and Mymensingh. Overall, fog is likely to reduce by afternoon. However, fog will not disappear completely and may continue for a few more days."

Regarding future weather trends, he added: "Night minimum temperatures will rise gradually until 5 January. That means night and day temperatures will remain relatively higher for these few days. However, temperatures may decrease again from the morning of 6 January to 12 January."

On the current cold wave, he noted that it has been active for the past three days. Today, mild cold wave conditions are still prevailing in seven districts. On the first day (31 December), mild cold wave was active in Barishal and Khulna divisions along with some other districts, but it has eased somewhat. Today, the affected area is smaller compared to yesterday. However, cold waves may return between 6 and 12 January, and severe cold waves could occur in one or two places. He also mentioned that winter is more intense this year compared to last year.

Additionally, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that mild cold wave is currently blowing over Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Khulna, Satkhira, Jashore, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Barishal, and Bhola districts, and it may ease in some places.