Staff Correspondent

While the northern regions of Bangladesh are experiencing cooler mornings with thick fog, residents of Dhaka and other parts of the country remain largely unaffected by the chill, as winter continues to delay its arrival.

In recent years, the country has typically felt the onset of winter in January, with temperatures dropping significantly between January and February.

Md Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said that while some regions are experiencing a mild chill, a proper winter is unlikely to be felt in December.

"Some people are feeling a bit of cold, but there is no chance of winter being felt in December," he said.

He attributed the cooler sensations to changes in wind patterns rather than a true seasonal shift, adding that the country can expect winter to begin in January. “The monsoon season is no longer active.”

Winter’s first signs in Panchagarh and Nilphamari

In the northern district of Panchagarh, often referred to as the ‘Daughter of the Himalayas’, the arrival of winter seems imminent.

Dense fog has blanketed the area, falling like dew throughout the night and lingering well into the morning, creating a thick, misty atmosphere.

According to the Met Office, the departure of the south-west wind, coupled with the presence of clouds in the sky, has contributed to this fog, signalling the forthcoming winter.

In Nilphamari, the town has been engulfed in fog since the midnight of 12 October, with visibility reduced to the extent that flights at Syedpur airport were disrupted on that day.

The fog serves as another early indicator that winter is on its way to the northern regions, even as the rest of the country waits for its arrival.

Winter vegetables hit markets

Despite the delayed winter, markets across the capital are already buzzing with winter vegetables, though prices remain steep.

In markets such as Jinjira, Aganagar in Keraniganj, and the capital’s Karwan Bazar, Newmarket, and Hatirpool kitchen market, vegetable stalls are well-stocked with produce, including aubergine, cucumber, pointed gourd, snake beans, papaya, and bitter gourd.

Winter staples such as beans, carrots, radishes, cauliflower and cabbage have also made an appearance.

However, vegetable sellers at Karwan Bazar report that recent rains and floods have driven up prices. In some cases, vegetable prices have surged by as much as Tk20 in just one week, further straining household budgets amid an already challenging economic climate.

Chill to intensify in January

Though winter remains elusive in much of the country, meteorologists predict that temperatures will drop significantly in the coming months, particularly in the northern and hilly regions, where the average temperature can fall to 12°C.

January is expected to be the coldest month, with average temperatures across Bangladesh dropping to around 10°C. As the colder months approach, residents in these regions are bracing for the seasonal chill.

Bangladesh’s winter, though typically mild, brings a welcome respite from the high humidity and sweltering heat experienced throughout much of the year. For now, as the late arrival of winter looms, the country’s residents wait in anticipation of cooler days ahead.