Bangladesh weather: Normal rain expected July-September, but heatwaves loom

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued its three-month weather outlook for July to September, predicting overall normal rainfall across the country. However, the forecast also warns of potentially above-normal day and night temperatures, alongside the possibility of heatwaves and the formation of low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal.

This outlook comes after June 2026 saw rainfall deficits, with the country receiving 29.4% less rain than usual. While the southwest monsoon covered the entire nation by mid-June, the distribution was uneven. Rangpur division experienced normal rainfall, while Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions received higher-than-normal precipitation. Other regions recorded below-average rainfall, with the highest single-day rainfall noted in Netrokona at 178 mm on June 12.

During June, mild to moderate heatwaves affected various regions intermittently. The highest temperature recorded was 38.6°C in Jashore on June 4, and the lowest was 18.5°C in Narsingdi on June 19. The BMD anticipates that between four to six low-pressure systems may develop over the Bay of Bengal during the July-September period, with one to three potentially intensifying into monsoon depressions. Frequent thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning, are also expected on 10 to 15 days across the country. Both day and night temperatures are projected to remain higher than seasonal averages, with an expectation of three to five isolated heatwaves.