Bhubaneswar: Odisha is currently caught in a thermal tug-of-war that has residents swapping heavy woolens for light linens in a matter of hours. This weather whiplash is driven by a clash between fading northern winds and warm moisture blowing in from the Bay of Bengal. Because the skies are crystal clear, the ground loses heat rapidly at night but bakes quickly under the sun, leading to a massive gap between the morning low and the afternoon high.
This volatility is hitting the agricultural heartland hard. For farmers growing pulses and oilseeds, the sudden midday heat speeds up crop maturity, often leading to smaller grains and lower yields. In the world of horticulture, the stakes are just as high. Mango and cashew trees are currently in their sensitive flowering stage; the erratic heat causes flowers to drop prematurely, while the humid nights invite fungal diseases that can ruin an entire season’s harvest.
On the streets, the impact is visible in local clinics. The human body struggles to recalibrate to a 20 degree shift in a single day, leading to a surge in viral fevers, sore throats, and dehydration. As the state moves further into February, the heat is expected to gain the upper hand, signaling an uncomfortably early start to the summer season.
It is currently February 8, 2026, and Odisha is experiencing a transitional weather phase characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations. While the peak winter chill is retreating, the state is dealing with a significant gap between daytime heat and nighttime cooling.
Night temperatures are beginning a gradual rise. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, minimum temperatures are expected to increase by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next five days. This follows a recent period where hilly regions like G. Udayagiri saw lows around 4.4°C, while inland plains like Jharsuguda recorded daytime highs near 34°C.
Fog alerts remain in place for coastal districts. Between February 9 and February 13, shallow to moderate fog is expected in areas including Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Ganjam, and Nayagarh, which may impact early morning travel and visibility.
Agriculture: The lack of a steady winter rhythm is affecting crop health. Local farmers and researchers have noted that these erratic swings—cold for a few days, then unexpectedly warm—disrupt pest cycles and soil moisture retention. This is particularly challenging for winter crops like rice and various horticultural products, which rely on consistent cooling for optimal maturity.
Health: The rapid shift between scorching days and chilly nights has led to an uptick in seasonal illnesses. Health experts have reported a rise in fever and respiratory issues across the state. They recommend keeping warm clothing available for early mornings while staying hydrated as daytime temperatures continue to climb.
The India Meteorological Department suggests that while the weather will remain mostly dry through mid-February, the “vanishing winter” trend indicates an early transition toward summer. Urban areas and interior districts are likely to see maximum temperatures consistently exceeding 30°C to 33°C as the month progresses.