Patna: Patna shivered through its coldest December day in 14 years on December 19, as the city’s maximum temperature plunged dramatically, falling nearly eight degrees below normal within just 24 hours, according to data from the Patna Meteorological Centre.
Meteorologists said the sharp fall marked the coldest December day in the capital since 2011, breaking a long-standing record. In most previous years, Patna’s maximum temperature in December has typically hovered between 27°C and 32°C.
This year, however, the maximum temperature dropped to 14.8°C, a level unseen in over a decade. By contrast, on December 3 last year, the city recorded a maximum of 32.0°C — the warmest December reading of 2023.
Weather officials attributed the sudden chill to snowfall in the Himalayan and adjoining hill regions, coupled with cold westerly winds sweeping across the plains under the influence of an active western disturbance. These winds have pushed cold air deep into Bihar, sharply lowering daytime temperatures.
The cold has been intensified by high moisture levels in the atmosphere. Relative humidity in Patna stood at around 94%, while normal wind speeds and persistent dense fog further reduced warmth and visibility. Meteorologists noted that the Ganga basin’s high humidity tends to trap cold air near the surface, making fog thicker and more long-lasting.
Historical data underlines the scale of the shift. Over the past 14 years, Patna’s December maximum temperatures have mostly remained well above 27°C, with several years crossing the 29–30°C mark. This year’s reading stands out as a clear anomaly.
Weather experts warned that the cold spell may persist in the coming days, with foggy mornings and chilly days likely to continue as long as western disturbances remain active.
