Patna: Bihar has seen a marked change in weather after weeks of dense fog and biting cold, with bright sunshine returning across much of the state during the day. The clearer skies have ended “cold day” conditions and brought relief to residents, though nights and early mornings remain sharply cold.
Daytime temperatures have stabilised at normal or slightly above-normal levels, encouraging people to step outdoors again. Parks, markets and public spaces have regained their usual bustle, particularly in south Bihar districts such as Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Munger and Aurangabad, where fog has largely disappeared and afternoon sunshine now provides noticeable warmth.
The relief, however, is only partial. Minimum temperatures continue to hover between 6C and 8C in many areas, keeping mornings and nights chilly. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while maximum temperatures have risen, there has been little corresponding increase in night-time lows.
Fog remains a concern in parts of north Bihar. Terai districts including West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj may continue to experience light to moderate fog, with dense patches in some locations, until January 19. On Thursday, visibility dropped to 400 metres in Motihari, underlining the persistence of poor morning conditions in the region.
Across the state, maximum temperatures have ranged from 20.6C to 25.7C, while minimums have varied between 5.9C and 12.5C. Sabour in Bhagalpur recorded the lowest temperature at 5.9C. Meteorologists say the wide gap between day and night temperatures is giving Bihar a distinctly mixed winter pattern: warm days followed by cold nights.
The Patna Meteorological Centre has forecast dry weather across Bihar for the next seven days, with no warnings issued for cold days or cold wave conditions. Temperatures are expected to remain largely stable for the next two to three days, followed by a slight rise in daytime readings. Fog alerts in north Bihar are likely to be lifted by January 22.
