As winter settles over Bangladesh, the country’s northernmost district, Panchagarh, is already experiencing a noticeable and early chill. 

In Tetulia, temperatures have remained within the 10°C range for three consecutive days — a level of cold typically felt later in the season. 

On Monday morning, the mercury dipped to 10.4°C, signalling what may become a sharper winter ahead.

Locals say the pattern is clear: days are still touched by mild sunshine, but once evening falls, the cold descends quickly. Fog thickens overnight and lingers into early morning, slowing movement on rural roads and disrupting daily routines. For many, warm clothes and blankets have already come out earlier than expected.

A shifting winter pattern

Climatologically, northern Bangladesh usually sees winter temperatures between 7°C and 13°C from December to February. This year, however, Tetulia’s readings have reached the lower end of that range unusually early. 

Meteorologists suggest that the region may be heading for a sharper cold spell in the weeks ahead, with the possibility of temperatures falling further as the winter peaks in late December and January.

Bangladesh’s northern districts, lying close to the Himalayan foothills, are always the first to feel the season’s bite. But the early arrival of cold raises questions about shifting seasonal patterns and the likelihood of more intense cold waves in the coming months.

Life adjusts to the cold

Across Panchagarh, the first impacts are already visible. Foggy mornings are making travel difficult, while roadside tea stalls fill up earlier in the evenings as temperatures drop. Households are now relying on thick blankets, hot meals and makeshift fires to cope with the chill.

Health workers caution that sudden temperature drops could trigger respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. Low-income families, many of whom lack proper winter clothing or heating, are among the most vulnerable. Aid groups in previous years have distributed blankets in the region, and similar efforts may be needed again if the cold intensifies.

What lies ahead?

If the current trend continues, night-time temperatures in Tetulia could slide even lower as winter progresses — possibly reaching single digits or even the sub-5°C marks recorded in earlier years. Extended fog, coupled with wind chill, may make mornings and evenings feel even colder than the thermometer suggests.

For many in northern Bangladesh, winter is both a challenge and a seasonal rhythm. But this year’s early chill is a reminder that preparation cannot wait. 

As temperatures continue to fall, communities across Panchagarh are bracing themselves — layering up, stocking blankets and adjusting their routines — to weather what may be a stronger-than-usual winter season.