Mercury dips to season-low 5 degrees Celsius in Tetulia

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has reported the season's coldest morning in northern district of Panchagarh as a cold snap maintains its grip on parts of the country.

Residents of Tetulia woke up to a frigid Sunday morning as the mercury plunged to 5 degrees Celsius, marking the winter's lowest recorded temperature, reports bdnews24.com.

A mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, along with 28 other districts, according to meteorologist Abdur Rahman Khan.

In Dhaka, the lowest temperature in the last 24 hours was recorded at 12.8 degrees Celsius, a slight drop from Saturday's 13 degrees Celsius.

The 24-hour weather forecast indicates mainly dry conditions nationwide, with partly cloudy skies. Moderate to dense fog is expected from night to morning and may linger until noon in some areas, potentially disrupting air, river, and road transport.

The BMD classifies a temperature below 6 degrees Celsius over large areas as a severe cold wave. Temperatures ranging from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius are considered a moderate cold wave, while those between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius are classified as a mild cold wave.

By that token, Panchagarh and Dinajpur districts are experiencing a potentially severe cold snap. However, temperatures are expected to rise tomorrow, meaning the mercury will not stay in the 4 to 6 degrees Celcius range for two consecutive days. Consequently, the BMD is not terming the cold wave as severe.

On Jan 8, 2018, Tetulia recorded the country's lowest ever temperature of 2.6 degrees Celsius. Other historical low temperatures include 4.5 degrees Celsius in Jashore on Jan 12, 2011, 3.2 degrees Celsius in Dinajpur on Jan 9, 2013, and 2.8 degrees Celsius in Sreemangal in 1968, prior to Bangladesh's independence.