People of Jharkhand are likely to welcome the New Year with rainfall, thunderstorms and even hailstorms in some places. The coldest day in Ranchi was recorded in the past week on December 28 with the minimum temperature dropping to 4.8 degree Celsius.
From December 31, clouds are expected to form over many parts of Jharkhand thereby increasing the chill across the entire State. Because of the clouds, there will be an increase in the minimum temperature while the maximum temperature will drop.
“A system of induced western disturbances is likely to have an interaction with the easterly waves and due to this rainfall is expected over the State for the next few days. The wind direction is going to change which will reduce the chill, but with little sunlight and a cloudy sky, the chill factor will continue to be felt,” said Deputy Director MET Centre, Ranchi, Abhishek Anand.
Districts in the central and northern part of the State are likely to witness rainfall on January 1. Hailstorm accompanied with thunderstorm and lighting will be fairly widespread across the State on January 2. On January 3, central and south Jharkhand will witness light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm. As per the predictions, the weather will start clearing from January 4 thus causing an increase in the chill factor across the State.
“During the winter months, there are generally two systems which cause rainfall in Jharkhand. One could be because of the induced systems currently being experienced and the other could be due to a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. Once this system clears on January 4, due to excess moisture in the atmosphere, it will be quite foggy in the early morning hours,” added the official.
According to the weather bulletin released by the Meteorological Department Ranchi on December 31, the minimum temperature in the State capital was recorded at 5.8 degree Celsius which is 3.1 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature was 22.4 degree Celsius.
The minimum temperature in Daltonganj and Bokaro was 4.9 and 5.5 degree Celsius which is 3.8 and 6.1 degrees below normal respectively. Jamshedpur was 2.9 degree below normal at 7.8 degree Celsius.
As per the communiqué released by the weather department, from December 31 to January 4, the minimum temperature in Ranchi and its surrounding areas will be between 11 degrees while the maximum temperature will be around 18 to 21 degree Celsius.