Bihar Set for Icy New Year as Cold Wave Brings Temperature Drop

Patna: A cold wave is set to sweep across Bihar, including Patna, starting Monday, bringing severe cold conditions in the new year. The Patna Meteorological Centre has forecast a drop in temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next three days, with the minimum likely to range between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius and the maximum between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius.

The state’s weather change is attributed to a fresh western disturbance expected to affect the western Himalayan region from January 1, followed by another disturbance on January 3. This has already led to a shift in weather patterns, with a cyclonic circulation forming near east Bangladesh and north Punjab. The meeting of eastern and western winds in the lower atmosphere has further contributed to the altered weather conditions in Bihar.

Current Weather and Outlook
No rain is forecast across Bihar on Sunday, with dry conditions expected throughout the state. However, cloud cover is likely in Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Jehanabad, Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Munger, and Khagaria. Dense fog is anticipated in Darbhanga, West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Madhepura, Katihar, and Bhagalpur.

Three-Day Weather Forecast

• December 29: Clear skies are expected across most of the country, except for South India. Snowfall in mountainous regions will cease, and Bihar and Jharkhand will experience dry conditions. Cold wave conditions will prevail in North India, accompanied by dense fog.
• December 30: Rainfall is expected in parts of Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh. Frost may develop in some areas of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, with temperatures in parts of Rajasthan possibly dropping below zero.
• December 31: No fresh snowfall is anticipated, but existing snow on the mountains will persist due to low temperatures. Bihar, along with UP, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat, will see further drops in temperature.

As the state gears up for colder days ahead, residents are advised to prepare for harsh winter conditions and exercise caution, especially during early morning and evening hours when fog and frost may impact visibility and safety.