Patna: After weeks of bone-chilling cold and persistent fog, Bihar is seeing a marked change in weather, with bright sunshine easing conditions across much of the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said there is no likelihood of a “cold day” until at least January 21, signalling a gradual return to milder winter conditions.
Daytime temperatures are beginning to rise, although early mornings and nights remain cold. In many districts, including Patna, Gaya and Aurangabad, sunshine for the fourth consecutive day has helped restore normal routines, with people gathering in parks, on rooftops and in open spaces to soak up the warmth.
Fog, however, continues to pose a challenge in parts of north Bihar. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for dense fog from January 15 to 17 in several border districts, including West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj. Visibility may drop sharply during morning hours; at Valmiki Nagar, it fell to as low as 50 metres, raising concerns for road safety.
Despite this, no further weather warnings have been issued for the state beyond January 17, suggesting improving conditions through the following week.
Maximum temperatures have already begun to climb with the return of sunshine. Kishanganj recorded a high of 26.6C on Wednesday, while Muzaffarpur saw the lowest daytime maximum at around 21C. Night-time temperatures across the state are ranging between 7C and 12C, with Aurangabad recording the lowest minimum and Forbesganj the highest.
The Patna meteorological centre has forecast dry weather for the next seven days. Morning fog is likely to persist in many areas, particularly in north Bihar, but no major fluctuations in temperature are expected in the immediate term. A gradual rise in both maximum and minimum temperatures is forecast after the next two to three days.
In south Bihar, maximum temperatures are expected to hover between 22C and 24C, with minimums between 8C and 12C. In the north, daytime temperatures may range from 20C to 26C.
While the harshest phase of winter appears to be over, the IMD has urged continued caution during early mornings and late nights, especially in fog-prone districts where low visibility could still disrupt daily life.
