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The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has said a mild cold wave is currently sweeping over nine districts in the country’s north-western region.
The department has forecast two to three mild to moderate cold waves across the country during the month of January, bdnews24.com reports.
Meteorologist Kazi Jebunnesa believes one or two of these could intensify into moderate to severe cold waves.
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Saturday, she said: "A mild cold wave is passing over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Sirajganj, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia and it is likely to continue.
“The current intensity of the cold will persist throughout this week.”
In its 5-day weather bulletin issued on Saturday, the Met Office confirmed the ongoing mild cold wave over the nine north-western districts.
The department said in the 24 hours leading up to 6am on Saturday, the country’s minimum temperature of 9°C was recorded in Rajshahi, Ishwardi, and Badalgachhi.
Meanwhile, the highest temperature in the country was recorded in Teknaf at 27°C.
According to the 5-day forecast, the weather across the country is expected to remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies from Saturday to Wednesday.
During these five days, moderate to thick fog may occur in parts of the country from midnight until morning, persisting until noon in some areas.
On Saturday and Sunday, dense fog may temporarily disrupt flights, inland water transport, and road communications.
The BMD also predicted that day and night temperatures across the country will remain largely unchanged on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, before slightly decreasing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In its long-term outlook, the department said while normal rainfall is expected in January, there is no likelihood of cyclones or depressions forming in the Bay of Bengal.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain within normal ranges throughout the month.
The forecast also noted that moderate to dense fog may occur over river basins and parts of the country from midnight to morning throughout January, with light to moderate fog elsewhere.
In some instances, fog may last until midday.
The reduced difference between day and night temperatures caused by dense fog is expected to increase the feeling of cold.
Furthermore, normal water flow is expected to be maintained in the country's major rivers throughout the month.