Desk News || The country is likely to experience slightly below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in June, according to the Long Range Forecasting Expert Committee of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).Officials said the southwest monsoon is expected to advance across the country in the first half of the month, but overall rainfall is likely to remain slightly below seasonal averages.The forecast was disclosed following a regular meeting of the expert committee held at the Storm Warning Centre, Dhaka on Monday.BMD Director (acting) and committee chairman Mohammad Mominul Islam said both daytime and night time temperatures are expected to remain higher than normal in the current month  June. He also warned that two to three mild to moderate heat waves may affect different parts of the country.According to the forecast, mild heat waves may range between 36°C and 37.9°C, while moderate heat waves could reach 38°C to 39.9°C.The committee also predicted five to seven days of light to moderate thunderstorm may be active  during the month. In addition, one to two low-pressure systems may form over the Bay of Bengal, one of which could intensify into a monsoon depression.Region-wise rainfall is expected to vary. Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may receive 600–630 mm of rainfall, Barishal 420–470 mm, Rangpur 400–420 mm, Dhaka 330–350 mm, Khulna 280–300 mm, and Rajshahi 270–290 mm.Meteorologist Md. Shahinul Islam of the Storm Warning Centre told BSS that scattered rainfall has already begun in some areas but is not yet strong enough to significantly ease the ongoing heat wave.He said rainfall in parts of Bogura, Rajshahi, Netrakona and Rangpur may bring slight local relief, but the heat wave may continue for another two to three days.He added that Dhaka has yet to receive significant rainfall, and hot and humid conditions continue to prevail. The monsoon is currently near the Myanmar coast and is expected to enter Bangladesh within the next three to four days.Once the monsoon arrives, rainfall is likely to increase first in the southern region, followed by central and northern areas. Light rain may occur in Dhaka within the next day, although humidity is expected to persist.According to BMD data, Bangladesh recorded an average rainfall of 289 mm in May, which is 7.4 percent above normal. While Mymensingh, Sylhet, Dhaka, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions received above-normal rainfall, Chattogram, Khulna and Barishal experienced below-normal rainfall.The highest rainfall in May was recorded in Dinajpur, where 144 mm of rainfall was recorded in a single day on May 13. The month also saw several spells of mild heat waves with the highest temperature reaching 38.0°C in Chuadanga on May 18, while the lowest was 18.4°C in Sylhet on May 3.Hydrological forecasts suggest river conditions are likely to remain normal, though water levels may rise temporarily in some areas due to heavy rainfall in the northern, north-eastern and south-eastern regions.Meanwhile, meteorologist Mashiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Weather Observation Team said the monsoon may become more active around June 10, with rainfall increasing significantly from June 11–12.He said pre-monsoon rainfall will continue until then, with intermittent breaks even after monsoon onset. However, the risk of extremely heavy rainfall remains low in June.He further noted that the ongoing heat wave may persist until around June 10, although scattered rainfall from June 5 could bring partial relief. However, humid conditions may return after short spells of rain.He added that while there is no major flood risk in early June, localized water logging or short-term flooding may occur in low-lying northern areas in the latter half of the month. However, the possibility of a major flood remains low.