The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The northern and central parts of the country are likely to experience one to two moderate and severe cold waves this month, a long-range forecast for January by the met office said on Wednesday.

The forecast was issued after a meeting of a committee of experts held at the met office.

Chairman of the expert committee and director of the met office Samarendra Karmaker told BSS after the meeting that the cold waves might sweep the country before the middle of the month to run till the end of it.

The areas are likely to be affected are Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions, and Jessore, Kushtia, Mymensingh, Tangail and Comilla regions where temperatures may range from six degrees Celsius to eight degrees Celsius (moderate cold wave) and four degrees Celsius to six degrees Celsius (severe cold wave), the forecast said.

At the same time the country may have less than normal rainfall. The rainfall during December was scanty, some traces of rains at one or two places. Otherwise, the weather remained mainly dry, the forecast noted in its review of the last month's weather.

During the second half of December the country's northern and central regions experienced a mild cold wave, it added.