Bhubaneswar, Dec. 8: Residents have got something to cheer about as night-time temperature dipped by about three degrees Celsius last night, renewing hope for the arrival of winter.

Weathermen, however, forecast that a gradual decline in night-time temperature was unlikely to happen anytime before December 16.

"A possible rainfall around December 12-13 may also make the weather more favourable for a further dip in the mercury," said director of Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu.

Though the minimum temperature remained three to four degrees above the normal range in the first week of December this year, the mercury dipped to 16.4°C yesterday, which was three degrees less than the night-time temperature of Sunday.

Last year, the minimum temperature had already reached below 16°C by this time of the month. The mercury stood at 15.6°C on November 6.

Residents said that though the nip in the air was felt by the first week of December in most years, the night-time temperature was much above the normal level this year.

"Usually, the cold is felt by this time and we stop using fans at night. But this year, the situation is not the same. Also, people have not yet brought out their winter gears this year," said Arun Maharathy, a city resident.

Weathermen also said that usually the temperature dipped below 16°C by the first week of December. "The dry cool breeze from the Himalayan region brings winter in the eastern part of the country every year. But this year, the breeze is yet to arrive, which is one of the major reasons for the delay in the onset of winter. Frequent low pressures formed over the sea off Tamil Nadu coast is another factor that is delaying the arrival of winter," said a Met official.

Kandhamal, which recorded a minimum temperature of 8.5°C last night, was the coolest place followed by Sundargarh and Hirakud that recorded a minimum temperature of 10°C and 11.1°C respectively.

Bhubaneswar also woke up to a foggy morning today. Weathermen forecast that fog would continue for another four to five days.

"The fog will reduce surface visibility by 200 meters at a few places across the state," Sahu said.

Winter garments sellers are also waiting patiently for the arrival of winter. "By this time, we should have started doing good business. But this year, we have just sold very few winter clothes so far. We hope that business gains momentum at least by the last week of December," said Ashok Jena, a winter garments seller at Unit-II market.