Bhubaneswar, Dec. 23: The Met department here today predicted that the ongoing cold wave situation would prevail in the city till the end of this month.

Bhubaneswar has been witnessing a minimum temperature of around 13.2°C for the last two to three days. The Met forecast has proved to be a damper for people gearing up to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. "We have decided to celebrate Christmas amidst fanfare. But, the weather forecast has created doubts about the turnout," said archbishop Reverend John Baruah of the Catholic Church here.

Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu today told The Telegraph that the weather condition was favourable for a good winter. "The weather will remain dry over many parts of the state till the end of this month. The major effect of winter will be felt in the interior pockets of the state, but the capital will also feel the impact," said Sahu.

The silver lining is that there is no forecast of fog during the period. "Cold wave will be there, but there is no indication of fog. We will issue a warning if such a situation is foreseen," said Sahu.

Damana resident Jigyansha Mohanty said that cold was already hard to bear this time.

"I did not require warm clothes in the last few winters. But this time, I had to buy warmers as well as blankets to shield myself," she said.

The daily weather bulletin issued by the weather department today showed that the lowest temperature of 4.6°C was recorded at Phulbani, followed by 5.5°C at Daringbadi.

In the coastal part of the state, Cuttack recorded a minimum temperature of 12.2°C, followed by Bhubaneswar at 13.2°C today.

The Met department has also forecast that a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal might bring rain in some parts of the state around December 27.