Odisha Weather Update: Dense Fog Grips State as Temperatures Set to Fluctuate
Winter has firmly tightened its grip on Odisha, bringing significant changes to daily life across the state. Residents waking up on Saturday were greeted by a thick blanket of fog in many districts, a trend that the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts will continue for the next few days. The latest Odisha weather forecast indicates a mix of dense fog warnings and fluctuating night temperatures, urging citizens to exercise caution during early morning commutes.
Fog Warning Issued for Multiple Districts
According to the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, visibility is expected to take a severe hit over the next 72 hours. A "Dense to Very Dense Fog" warning has been issued for isolated pockets in several districts from Day 1 through Day 3. This atmospheric condition is likely to impact road and rail traffic significantly, particularly during the early morning hours.
Specifically, the forecast highlights that shallow to moderate fog is very likely to occur at a few places over districts including Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha. The capital city of Bhubaneswar and the Silver City, Cuttack, have already recorded very dense fog with visibility dropping to near zero meters in some areas on Saturday morning.
For Day 4 and Day 5, the intensity may reduce slightly, but a "Dense Fog" warning remains active for isolated pockets. By Day 6 and Day 7, the weather office predicts clearer skies with no specific warnings issued, signaling a potential respite from the hazardous visibility.
Temperature Fluctuations Expected
While the fog remains a primary concern, the temperature patterns are showing interesting behavior. The Odisha weather forecast suggests that minimum temperatures (night temperatures) are very likely to rise by 2-3°C during the next 24 hours. This brief rise is attributed to the prevailing atmospheric conditions. However, this relief from the chill will be short-lived.
Following this brief ascent, the mercury is predicted to undergo a gradual fall by 2-4°C across the districts of Odisha. This dip will likely reintroduce the biting cold that characterizes the peak of winter in the region.
Current Ground Report
Data from Saturday shows that cold wave conditions are already prevalent in the interior and hill districts. G. Udayagiri recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the hill stations at a shivering 7.0°C. In the plains, Phulbani remained the coldest at 8.5°C. Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar recorded a minimum of 14.8°C, while Cuttack stood at 13.4°C.
Dry weather prevailed over most districts, but the high humidity and low temperatures have created the perfect recipe for the ongoing fog spell.
Advisory for Citizens
Commuters traveling on highways connecting Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, and western Odisha districts should drive with headlights on low beam and maintain safe distances. The combination of the Odisha weather forecast for fog and the impending drop in temperature suggests that winter gear should remain close at hand for the coming week.
