Expect heavy fog and changing temperatures across Odisha this week
Bhubaneswar: As 2026 begins, residents across Odisha should prepare for a week of significant atmospheric shifts. The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a comprehensive Odisha weather update, highlighting a dual challenge: intense fog blankets and a see-sawing temperature trend that will affect both coastal and interior districts.
The most immediate concern for commuters and travelers is the "Very Dense Fog" warning. According to the IMD, visibility has already dropped below 50 meters in several regions. Areas including Nayagarh, Angul, Sambalpur, Talcher, Dhenkanal, and Boudh are currently under a high-alert zone for extreme fog.
The forecast for the next four days (Day 1 to Day 4) remains critical. Isolated pockets across the state are expected to experience "Dense to Very Dense Fog." By Day 5, the intensity may slightly decrease to "Dense Fog," while Day 6 and Day 7 are expected to be clear of any major warnings. Major hubs like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are already seeing "Dense Fog" with visibility restricted to roughly 50 to 200 meters, necessitating extreme caution for early morning drivers.
The temperature profile for the state is currently showing a unique trend. While Jharsuguda recorded the highest maximum temperature at 29.6°C, it also saw one of the lowest minimums in the plains at 7.8°C. However, the state’s "Kashmir," Daringbadi, remains the coldest point with a minimum temperature of 7.5°C.
Weather experts predict a temporary reprieve from the biting cold as night temperatures (minimum temperatures) are likely to rise by 2-3°C over the next three days. This warming trend, however, will be short-lived. Following this brief spike, a gradual fall of 2-4°C is expected across most districts, signaling a return to harsher winter conditions.
In the capital city of Bhubaneswar, temperatures are hovering around a maximum of 24.8°C and a minimum of 12.7°C. Nearby Cuttack is slightly cooler at night, recording 11.8°C. While dry weather currently prevails across the districts, the combination of high humidity and falling night temperatures later in the week will likely intensify the "Moderate to Shallow" fog in places like Puri, Rourkela, and Paradip.
Residents are advised to stay updated on the Odisha weather update daily, especially those planning long-distance travel during the early morning hours when visibility is at its lowest.
