As winter continues to grip Odisha with persistent cold and fog, temperatures have slightly risen over the past 24 hours.
An active upper-air cyclonic circulation, extending up to 5.8 kilometers in height, is set to trigger the formation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal by November 22. This system is expected to intensify into a depression by November 24, moving west-northwest and potentially gaining strength, according to alerts issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre.
The low-pressure system could bring rainfall to coastal and southern Odisha, raising concerns among farmers as it coincides with the paddy harvest season. Untimely rains at the end of November may damage crops, while the prospect of precipitation during winter has heightened worries about a subsequent drop in temperatures. “Rain followed by increased cold is a possibility,” said Regional Meteorological Centre scientist Sanjeev Dwivedi.
The system remains unnamed for now, with its path and intensity under constant monitoring by the Regional Meteorological Centre and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While such formations are common in the Bay of Bengal during November, they could impact the coasts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea from November 22 to 28.
Currently, dry weather prevails across the state, with dense fog reported in multiple locations in Sundargarh district and light fog in Kalahandi. In coastal Odisha, minimum temperatures in some districts are 4.1°C or more above normal. South and south-interior Odisha saw minima 2.1 to 4.0°C above normal. However, north-interior Odisha experienced minimum temperatures 5°C or more below normal in places, north Odisha 3.1 to 5°C below, south-interior 1.6 to 3°C below, and other areas about 1.5°C below normal.
Over the last 24 hours, the highest maximum temperature was recorded at 32°C in Paralakhemundi, while the lowest minima stood at 11.5°C in both Daringbadi and Phulbani. Dry conditions are expected to continue until November 26, with a gradual decrease in cold intensity. However, the new system in the Bay of Bengal may not cause major weather shifts in the next 48 hours, though light rain is possible in coastal areas and cold will persist in the interior. The full impact on Odisha will become clearer in the next 2-3 days, as per scientist Dwivedi.
