
Temperatures in parts of Bangladesh may drop to as low as 4 degrees Celsius in January, as several cold waves are forecast to sweep across the country.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director Md Mominul Islam said up to five cold waves could affect different regions during the month, intensifying winter conditions nationwide.
Of these, two to three cold waves are expected to be mild to moderate, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 6°C. One to two spells could be moderate to severe, potentially pushing temperatures down to between 6°C and 4°C.
Overall, daytime and nighttime temperatures in January are likely to remain close to normal. However, moderate to dense fog may form from midnight to morning in river basin areas and some other parts of the country, while light to moderate fog is expected elsewhere. In some cases, fog could linger until noon.
The weather office warned that dense fog may narrow the gap between day and night temperatures, making the cold feel more severe in many areas.
The forecast also indicated no likelihood of cyclones or low-pressure systems forming over the Bay of Bengal during the month. Water levels in major rivers are expected to remain normal.
Average daily evaporation is projected to range from 1.50 to 3.50 millimetres, while average sunshine duration may remain between 3.50 and 5.50 hours per day.
The Meteorological Department advised people to prepare for colder conditions, noting that repeated cold waves could make January one of the chilliest months of the season.