Fog and cold to intensify in Dhaka, says Meteorological Department

Dhaka woke up to a chilly, fog-laden Saturday morning, with conditions closely mirroring those of the previous day. While the sun had briefly broken through the clouds on Friday afternoon, the daylight was short-lived. Today, however, the capital has recorded a slight drop in temperature compared to Friday, intensifying the wintry chill across the city.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the temperature in Dhaka is expected to remain at similar levels over the next couple of days. With no rain forecast, the dense fog is unlikely to lift anytime soon. However, the department anticipates that the sun may make a more prolonged appearance in the city today, compared with Friday’s brief spell of sunlight.

The minimum temperature in Dhaka today was recorded at 12.5°C, down from 13.3°C yesterday. Across the country, the lowest temperatures were observed in three districts—Naogaon’s Badalgachhi, Pabna, and Rajshahi—where readings fell to 9°C. By contrast, yesterday the lowest temperature in the country was 8°C in Jashore, indicating a slight rise in minimum temperatures nationally over the past two days, even as the capital experienced a dip.

BMD meteorologist Md. Hafizur Rahman told Prothom Alo this morning that the limited sunshine yesterday contributed to the slightly lower temperature in Dhaka. He added that the sun may make a more noticeable appearance around midday, offering some relief from the chill.

The fog currently blankets Dhaka, Sylhet, and several other northeastern regions, while areas such as Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet (other parts), and Rangpur report relatively clearer skies. Rahman warned that, without rainfall, the fog is likely to persist in the capital and the country’s northeastern regions for the coming days.

For context, the BMD classifies cold waves as follows:

At present, Dhaka is experiencing mild cold-wave conditions, but the persistent fog and low temperatures are making the winter feel more biting. Residents are advised to take precautions, especially during early mornings and evenings when the chill is most intense.