Bhubaneswar: The regional meteorological centre on Tuesday predicted withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the state, making way for winter to arrive here.

According to the Met centre, the southwest monsoon withdrew from the state making way for the chilly winds from northeastern parts of the country to blow into the state - which will bring down will the minimum temperature.

Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu said: "The situation is favourable for the minimum temperature to go down across the state. But at present, that is not happening because of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal."

He said although the monsoon was over, the system that was still active over the sea would bring rain to most parts of the state till October 24.

A well-marked low pressure, formed over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, raised possibility of rain accompanied by gusty surface wind in several parts of Odisha on Wednesday. "The low-pressure area now lies over the central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal," the regional meteorological centre said.

Associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8mm above mean sea level. Under its impact, rain is likely to occur on Wednesday in south and coastal Odisha region and thereafter in north region.Strong and gusty surface wind from north-easterly direction with a speed of 35 to 45kmph and gusting up to 55kmph will prevail along and off Odisha coast. The sea condition is likely to be moderate to rough along and off Odisha coast, the Met office said advising fishermen to be cautious while venturing into the sea.

"The rainfall and the overcast condition will lead to a fluctuation in the minimum temperature, but it will decrease steadily after October 25," said Sahu.

The weather department on Tuesday recorded a lowest temperature of 17.2°C at Daringbadi, known as the Kashmir of Odisha, while the average minimum temperature across the state was 22°C. The maximum temperature hovered between 30 and 35°C across the state on Tuesday.

"We have passed the middle of October. Diwali is near, but there is no sign of winter. This is nothing but the impact of the climate change. We see a bit of fog in the morning, but there is no chill whatsoever," said Gothapatna resident Amiya Mallik.

People have also been reeling from the humid conditions over the past few days in the city because of the overcast condition.

"It's the month of Kartik, and we usually feel a bit of chill during this time of the year. But this time, it's different. Although the temperature is not so high, the humidity makes it extremely uncomfortable," said Kalinga Nagar resident Sitaram Mohanty.

Met officials have predicted mild fog during in the early hours in and around the city. "The fog will not be that dense right now. It will become denser later this month," the official said.