Odisha: Flow of moisture-laden easterly winds behind warmer nights

BHUBANESWAR: The state has been witnessing a rising trend in night temperatures for the past two days. The IMD forecast on Thursday said the trend will continue in the state for the next 3-4 days and minimum temperatures would remain 3-4 degrees above normal. Besides, shallow to moderate fog will be seen at isolated places in select districts, the forecast said.
“There is now a change in the wind pattern.The state has been witnessing inflow of easterly winds and moisture, which is causing a rise in the minimum temperature and clouds at night or in the morning,” said director of the regional IMD centre, H R Biswas. He, however, said the trend was not unusual. Biswas further forecast the state would again experience cold after 3-4 days, with a change in wind pattern.
Director of the Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC), SOA University, Sarat Sahu, said the prevailing night temperatures in the state were likely to reduce after January 10. Sahu, a former director of the regional IMD centre, said the drop in temperatures would bring about pleasant weather.
On Thursday, Sundargarh town in the state recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 15 degree Celsius. The capital recorded minimum 19.3 degree Celsius, four degrees above normal.
The IMD director said night temperatures are hovering 3-4 degrees above normal in most places. In some others, they are even higher. He said interior pockets had reported minimum temperatures of between 15 ad 18 degree Celsius. Coastal pockets saw temperatures between 18 and 20 degree Celsius.
For Friday, the forecast said shallow to moderate fog would prevail in isolated places in 10 districts. They are Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Khurda, Malkangiri, Koraput and Kandhamal.