Patna: Bihar ushered in the New Year amid biting cold conditions and dense fog, with icy northwesterly winds intensifying the chill across the state. Several districts, including Patna, Jehanabad, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Khagaria, reported extremely poor visibility, dropping to less than 10 metres in many areas.
The Meteorological Centre on Friday issued an Orange Alert for dense fog and cold-day conditions across all 38 districts of Bihar. According to the department, there is little chance of relief from the cold spell until January 5, with minimum temperatures in several districts likely to drop further by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.
Siwan emerged as the coldest district in the last 24 hours, recording a minimum temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius. Gaya followed at 6.3 degrees Celsius, while Aurangabad and Arwal recorded minimum temperatures of 6.6 degrees Celsius each.
Cold wave conditions are expected to persist in at least 14 districts, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Arwal and Jehanabad. In other parts of the state, cold wave conditions are likely to remain within normal limits.
As per the January forecast, most regions of Bihar may witness maximum temperatures above normal, while minimum temperatures are expected to remain below normal. The Meteorological Centre has predicted maximum temperatures to range between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may hover between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius through the month.
Weather experts attribute the prevailing dense fog to an active western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation extending from West Bengal to northern Bangladesh, which has increased moisture levels in the atmosphere. As a result, large parts of Bihar have remained under a thick fog cover, with several districts not receiving adequate sunlight for nearly a week.
The absence of daytime sunshine has narrowed the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures, leading to persistent cold conditions throughout the day and night.
In Patna, residents are experiencing severe cold as well. Dense fog is likely in the morning hours, while only mild sunshine is expected during the day. However, cold northwesterly winds are expected to continue, offering little relief. Cold-day conditions may persist in the capital over the next few days, with further dip in minimum temperatures possible. On Thursday, Patna recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 19.3 degrees Celsius.
December witnessed prolonged cold conditions across Bihar, with no rainfall recorded due to the absence of a strong western disturbance. The state experienced six days of severe cold-day conditions and 11 cold days, significantly affecting daily life and raising concerns over frost damage to rabi crops.
The highest temperature in December 2025 was recorded at 29.8 degrees Celsius in Motihari on December 14. Gaya recorded the lowest minimum temperature of the month at 5 degrees Celsius on December 31. In Patna, the average maximum temperature in December stood at 21.1 degrees Celsius, while the average minimum temperature was 13.1 degrees Celsius.
