Met Office forecasts one to two cyclones in May

The long-term forecast says one to three low-pressure areas may form in the Bay of Bengal throughout the month, which may develop into intense storms

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) says the rainfall in May is likely to be typical, but it has also forecast one to two cyclones throughout the month.

On Thursday morning, a regular meeting of an expert committee was held at the Storm Warning Center in Dhaka’s Agargaon for long-term weather forecasts.

Information from the meeting was shared in a long-term forecast signed by the BMD Deputy Director SM Quamrul Hassan.

The forecast said one to three low-pressure areas may form in the Bay of Bengal throughout the month, out of which one or two may develop into depressions or cyclones.

This year, the Bengali month of Boishakh has fallen in May. Accordingly, the month will also see the Kalboishakhi storms, or nor’westers, typical at this time of year.

The forecast says that two or three days of moderate to severe nor’westers with thunder and hail are expected in May. There may also be three to five days of mild nor’westers with thunder and hail.

The BMD also said that some parts of the country are likely to experience one to three mild to moderate heatwaves and one to two severe heatwaves this month.

Day temperatures are likely to remain as usual throughout May, but night temperatures will be higher than expected.

A mild heatwave occurs when the temperature rises to 36-38 degrees Celsius. A moderate heatwave occurs between 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, a severe one between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, and a very severe one when the temperature rises past 42 degrees Celsius.

The river forecast says that the normal flow of the country's major rivers is likely to prevail through May. However, in cases of isolated heavy rainfall, there is a possibility of an increase in the water levels of the rivers in the northern, northeastern and southern parts of the country.