Dhaka logs season's lowest temp of 12.50C

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Saturday said four to five cold waves might occur across the country this month.

In its January 2026 outlook, it said January might see two to three mild to moderate cold waves and one to two moderate to severe cold waves.

A mild cold wave occurs when the minimum temperature remains between 8.1 and 10 degrees Celsius, according to a BMD director (acting).

He says a moderate cold wave temperature is between 6.1 and 8.0 degrees Celsius, a severe cold wave between 4.1 and 6.0 degrees Celsius, and a very severe cold wave below 4.0 degrees Celsius.

Dhaka recorded the season's lowest temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning.

Amid shivering cold and dense fog, the capital and its surrounding areas may remain covered in moderate to dense fog until this noon (Sunday).

A regular BMD forecast on Saturday said the prevailing cold and foggy conditions had reduced visibility in some areas, affecting early morning movement.

"Moderate to thick fog may occur in many places across the country from midnight (early Sunday) to morning, and it may continue at places till noon," said the BMD official.

He said air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication might be disrupted due to thick fog.

The BMD official further said a cold wave had already begun, and its impact might continue for at least two more days.

The BMD forecast said light to moderate fog might occur this month, particularly in river basin areas.

At times, the fog may persist until noon.

Due to fog, the difference between day and night temperatures may narrow, intensifying the cold.

The forecast also reviewed weather conditions in December last year, saying rainfall was 99.3 per cent below the normal level.

The lowest rainfall was recorded in Sylhet, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, where there was virtually no rain at all.

The lowest temperature in December was recorded at 7.5 degrees Celsius in Gopalganj on December 31.

A mild cold wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Sirajganj, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia districts, and it may continue.

The weather may remain dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky across the country, and night and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged.

On Saturday, the country's minimum temperature was recorded at 9.0 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, Ishurdi in Pabna, and Badalgachi of Naogaon.

Dhaka's air quality remains "unhealthy" amid the ongoing fog.

It ranked eighth on the list of cities with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 163 at 9:15am on Saturday.

Afghanistan's Kabul, India's Kolkata and Delhi, and Egypt's Cairo occupied the first, second, third, and fourth positions on the list, with AQI scores of 429, 244, 235, and 179, respectively.

An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered moderate, usually prompting sensitive individuals to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

A score between 101 and 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, 150 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 301 or more is hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents.

The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants - particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, and ozone.

Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution.

Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com