Biting cold and thick fog grip most Odisha districts today

Residents across the state are waking up to a shivering reality as the latest Odisha weather forecast indicates a significant intensification of winter conditions. Data released by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar confirms that a dual threat of a biting cold wave and blinding fog will dominate the region for the next few days. With temperatures plummeting to record lows in some pockets, the administration has issued several warnings to ensure public safety during the early morning hours.

Cold Wave Hits Interior Districts

The mercury has taken a sharp dive, particularly in western and interior Odisha. Jharsuguda recorded a bone-chilling minimum temperature of 5.1°C, making it the coldest place in the plains today. Not far behind, the hill station of G. Udayagiri saw the thermometer hit 6.8°C. This sudden "dip" is part of a larger cold wave warning that remains active from Day 1 to Day 3. During this period, several districts are expected to experience temperatures significantly below the seasonal average, making night and early morning travel extremely difficult.

Detailed Fog Forecast and Visibility Alerts

The IMD Bhubaneswar weather update has placed a heavy emphasis on atmospheric visibility. For the first 24 hours (Day 1), a dense fog warning is in place for isolated pockets. Travelers should be extremely cautious as visibility has already dropped to below 50 meters in areas like Boudh and Nayagarh.

Here is the projected breakdown of the fog conditions:

• Day 1 (Valid until Jan 7, 08:30 IST): Shallow to moderate fog is very likely in districts including Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Balasore, Boudh, Koraput, Kandhamal, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar.
• Day 2 (Jan 7 to Jan 8): The fog cover is expected to expand. In addition to the Day 1 districts, areas like Dhenkanal, Deogarh, and Sambalpur will likely see moderate fog during the early morning hours.
• Day 3 (Jan 8 to Jan 9): Foggy conditions will persist across coastal and northern interior districts. Specifically, Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, and Sundargarh will continue to see reduced visibility.
• Day 4 & Day 5 (Jan 9 to Jan 11): While the cold wave might subside slightly, shallow to moderate fog will still linger in isolated pockets of Khordha, Puri, Bhadrak, and several other coastal belts.

Temperature Outlook for the Week

While the current Odisha temperature drop is severe, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. According to the Odisha weather forecast, no large change in minimum temperatures is expected for the next four days. However, starting from Day 5, a gradual rise of 2-3°C is anticipated across most districts, providing much-needed relief from the record-breaking chill.

In the twin cities, Bhubaneswar recorded a minimum of 12.9°C, while Cuttack stayed slightly cooler at 10.0°C. Despite the clear skies during the day, the lack of significant cloud cover is allowing heat to escape rapidly at night, sustaining the cold wave conditions.

Safety Advisory for Residents

The weather department advises citizens, especially the elderly and children, to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold during late night and early morning. Drivers on national highways passing through districts like Koraput, Phulbani, and Boudh should use fog lights and maintain low speeds due to the high risk of "Dense Fog" (visibility between 50m and 200m). Fortunately, the forecast suggests that from Day 4 to Day 7, the severe warnings will be lifted, though the seasonal winter chill will remain.