Guwahati : Dense fog conditions are likely to persist across Assam and the wider Northeastern region until at least January 7, with reduced daytime temperatures continuing to mark the winter spell, weather officials said.

Guwahati recorded a maximum temperature of 22.5°C on Sunday, about 1.5 degrees below the seasonal average, while the minimum settled at 14.3°C, which is 3.3 degrees above normal. Despite relatively stable night temperatures, fog has significantly curtailed daytime warming across much of the region.

Several other locations reported sharper departures from normal daytime temperatures. Dhubri recorded 15.5°C, nearly 6 degrees below normal, while Silchar logged 21.6°C (around 4 degrees below average) and Tezpur 21.4°C, about 2.4 degrees lower than usual for this time of year.

Meteorologists attributed the suppressed daytime temperatures to a persistent fog layer spreading from the Indo-Gangetic plains into Assam and adjoining states over the past week.

“Daytime temperatures are low across the region, while minimum temperatures remain in the 13-15°C range, which is still slightly above normal,” a weatherman explained. “A fog layer, common over north India during winter, sometimes extends into the Northeast. Over the last week, this fog moved across lower Assam and spread up to central Assam, blocking sunlight and preventing daytime temperatures from rising.”

During the final week of December, Guwahati did not record a maximum temperature above 20°C for three consecutive days. While daytime readings have since improved marginally to around 22-24°C, fog continues to limit solar heating.

“At times, fog may not be dense near the ground but remains present in the upper atmospheric layers, which still affects temperature patterns,” the official added.

The lowest temperature of the season in Guwahati so far has been 11°C, recorded on January 1. Historically, the lowest-ever temperature in the state capital was 3°C, recorded in January 1964.

Weather authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during early morning and late evening hours, particularly while travelling, as foggy conditions are expected to persist over the next couple of days.

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