Humidity, wind ease winter chill in Bangladesh

The BMD says temperatures may increase slightly across the country over the next five days

Despite Magh’s reputation for a cold that seeps into the bones, this year the Bengali month has a taken on a more comfortable countenance.

While the chill was pronounced toward the end of the Bengali month of Poush (the other winter month), temperatures have eased noticeably in the early days of Magh in mid-January, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

Afroza Sultana, an assistant meteorologist at the department, said the cold has felt less severe this year due to a combination of higher humidity, a northeasterly wind flow and reduced fog.

“There was no cold wave anywhere in the country on Wednesday,” she told bdnews24.com.

“The lowest temperature recorded in the past 24 hours was 10.3 degrees Celsius in Badalgachi of Naogaon, while the highest was 31.2 degrees Celsius in Teknaf.”

Although Badalgachi recorded the lowest temperature, the day temperature there rose to 25.5 degrees Celsius.

Similar wide gaps between day and night temperatures were observed in many parts of the country, which has also contributed to the cold feeling less intense, she explained.

In most years, Magh is marked by sharp cold, dry air and persistent fog. This time, however, humidity levels have remained relatively high.

“You can tell because lips are cracking less,” Sultana said.

“This humidity is reducing the sensation of the cold. Earlier, toward the end of Poush, dense fog made the cold feel more severe.”

She added that fog is now clearing in most areas as the day progresses, allowing bright sunshine to break through. Another factor is the change in wind direction.

“Usually at this time of year, cold winds blow from the northwest. Now the wind is coming from the northeast, which is also why the cold feels milder,” she said, adding that the situation is likely to persist for the next few days.

In its forecast issued on Wednesday, the BMD said weather conditions across the country may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies from Wednesday to Sunday.

Light to moderate fog may occur in some areas during late night to morning over the five-day period.

Night and day temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged on Wednesday, while both may drop slightly on Thursday.

Temperatures are likely to stay steady on Friday, with night temperatures rising slightly on Saturday and day temperatures remaining largely unchanged on Sunday.

Overall, the department said temperatures may increase slightly across the country over the next five days.