Will Eid be sunny or wet? Here’s the forecast

As Bangladesh gears up to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha over the weekend, most are hoping that the weather will not dampen the festivities.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) says most parts of the country can expect largely dry conditions on Saturday, the day of Eid, with the exception of the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, where more rainfall is forecast during the holiday period.

Other areas may only experience sporadic showers on Eid day, according to Meteorologist Md Omar Faruk.

The BMD's regular bulletin notes that the monsoon is less active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate over the north Bay of Bengal.

Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are likely to occur in parts of the Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna and Sylhet divisions, and at one or two places in the Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal and Chattogram divisions in the 24 hours from 9am on Thursday, the BMD said.

Day and night temperatures are likely to remain mostly unchanged across the country on Thursday.

The forecast for Friday includes light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by lightning and temporary gusts in one or two places in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

The day and night temperatures may rise slightly across the country during this period.

On Saturday, Eid day, the BMD expects light to moderate rain or thunder showers with lightning flashes and gusty winds at one or two places in the Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.

Elsewhere, the weather is likely to remain largely dry, with partly cloudy skies.

The day and night temperatures may rise slightly during this time.

The extended five-day forecast suggests rainfall may pick up later, which could cool temperatures across the country.

In the last 24 hours, Chuadanga was the hottest place in the country, with the mercury rising to 34.5 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature was recorded in Cox’s Bazar at 22.8 degrees Celsius.

The heaviest rainfall was recorded at 55mm in Kutubdia, followed by Rangamati at 41mm, Sandwip at 38mm, and Feni at 35mm.