Patna: Bihar is experiencing an unusually early onset of winter, with temperatures falling sharply across the state and prompting residents to reach for heavy woollens weeks ahead of schedule. The minimum temperature dropped to 9–10°C on Saturday night, marking one of the coldest November spells in recent years.
According to the Bihar Mausam Seva Kendra, the minimum temperature across the state ranged between 9.6°C and 15.3°C. The coldest conditions were recorded in the southern border districts, with Nauhatta in Rohtas registering 9.6°C — the lowest in the state. Gaya recorded 10.1°C, Nawada 10.5°C, Buxar 10.8°C, Sheikhpura 10.9°C and Patna 11.4°C. Most of Bihar remained below 15°C, making early mornings and late evenings noticeably colder.
The sudden drop has pushed people to light bonfires at bus stops and marketplaces, while demand for jackets, sweaters and mufflers has surged. Residents in districts such as Gaya, Nawada, Buxar and Sheikhpura have reported a clear shift in the morning chill, with conditions expected to worsen over the coming week.
Meteorologists say persistent northwesterly winds and westerlies blowing at 20–30 km/h have intensified the cold. Visibility has also begun to fall, with Purnia recording the state’s lowest visibility at 800 metres. Fog forming after sunset has left major roads blanketed in haze, heightening the risk of accidents.
#अधिकतम #तापमान और #परिवर्तन पिछले 24 घंटा #बिहार जिलों से। pic.twitter.com/CxVVcGWiYY
— Mausam Bihar- IMD Patna (@imd_patna) November 15, 2025
The IMD has warned that light to moderate fog may continue during early mornings over the next 48 hours. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain between 26°C and 30°C, while night temperatures may settle at 10–16°C. In south-central and south-western districts, including Gaya, Nawada, Rohtas and Aurangabad, nights are expected to remain between 11°C and 14°C. In North Bihar and the Kosi–Seemanchal belt, the minimum is forecast at 14–16°C.
Skies are expected to stay clear during the day, but winds and falling night temperatures will continue to dominate the week ahead. People have been advised to take precautions while travelling, especially during fog-heavy hours.
Weather experts attribute the early winter conditions to an early onset of snowfall in North India and declining temperatures in the Himalayan region, which have pushed cold winds rapidly towards Bihar. A shift in wind direction in early November further accelerated the arrival of winter.
Meanwhile, the dip in temperatures has coincided with worsening air quality. In Patna, the AQI near the BIT campus reached 299 — categorised as ‘poor’. Several districts are reporting similar conditions, with cold winds and fog trapping pollutants closer to the ground and increasing the risk of respiratory discomfort and eye irritation.
