Bangladesh Awaits Winter: Fog and Cold Signal Its Arrival

In the early morning, fog has been observed in various parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka. Is this fog merely a precursor to winter, or an early warning of the bone-chilling cold to come?

As the calendar turns and most regions of South Asia await winter, the same question is circulating in Bangladesh: when will the long-awaited winter actually arrive?

Weather forecasts indicate that the seasonal monsoon winds are gradually leaving the country’s skies. Cold northern winds are increasing, and daytime temperatures are dropping. The early morning fog and chilly breeze at dawn signal the onset of winter in Bangladesh.

However, apart from the northern regions, the central parts of the country—including the capital Dhaka—may not experience severe cold until January.

Regarding the likely start of winter, meteorologist Dr. Md. Omar Faruk told the media that winter will begin in the northern districts from the second week of November, especially in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Nilphamari. Gradually, winter will spread across the country in full swing. In Dhaka, however, the peak of winter may arrive in the first half of December.

Climate experts have predicted that although winter may arrive a little later this year, the coldest month of the year, January, could bring several intense cold waves across the country.

They attribute this to excessive rainfall during the monsoon and increased moisture in the air. The combination of atmospheric water vapor and dust particles is likely to create dense fog, which will block sunlight during the day and intensify the cold.

According to long-term forecasts, between December and February, the country may experience multiple mild and moderate cold waves, along with three to four intense cold waves, particularly affecting the northwestern, northeastern, and central regions. In the northwest, temperatures could drop as low as 8–10°C.

With the increase in winter, dense morning fog and light dew will become common in the southeastern regions. Agricultural experts believe that this weather may have a somewhat positive impact on vegetables and Aman paddy cultivation.

Sharif