Due to a cold wave sweeping across Bangladesh, temperatures in several divisions of the country may drop to as low as six degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 7 January, according to weather and climate expert Mustafa Kamal Palash from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
In a verified Facebook post on Tuesday, 6 January, Palash warned that the cold wave is likely to intensify in the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Khulna. He predicted that at 6:00 am on Wednesday, minimum temperatures in most districts of Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna could fall between six and eight degrees Celsius.
Analysing satellite images from the European Union, Palash noted that fog currently covers 61 districts of Bangladesh, with the exceptions of Feni, Sylhet and Sunamganj. From Tuesday evening onwards, all divisions except Chittagong and Sylhet may experience moderate to dense fog. In Chittagong and Sylhet, fog is expected to be light to moderate in density.
He also indicated that in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna, sunlight may be scarce before noon, while in the other five divisions, the sun could appear between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasted that over the next 24 hours, the country will experience partially cloudy skies with generally dry weather. Dense fog may persist from midnight into the morning, and in some areas, it may continue until afternoon. The dense fog could disrupt air travel, internal water transport, and road communications temporarily.
The Met Office added that mild to moderate cold waves are currently affecting the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Jessore, Chuadanga and Kushtia, and this condition may continue for several days. Night temperatures are expected to remain mostly unchanged, while daytime temperatures may rise slightly. Despite this, the cold foggy conditions will maintain a pronounced chill throughout the country.
| Division | Minimum Temperature (°C) | Fog Density | Sunlight Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangpur | 6–8 | Moderate to dense | Limited before 12:00 pm |
| Rajshahi | 6–8 | Moderate to dense | Limited before 12:00 pm |
| Khulna | 6–8 | Moderate to dense | Limited before 12:00 pm |
| Dhaka | 7–9 | Moderate | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Mymensingh | 7–9 | Moderate | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Chittagong | 9–11 | Light to moderate | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Sylhet | 9–11 | Light to moderate | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
The Meteorological Department also indicated that multiple cold waves are likely to sweep across the country this month, and in certain areas, temperatures may drop to as low as four degrees Celsius. Residents are advised to remain cautious, as dense fog may temporarily affect visibility and transportation services.