Jharkhand winter delayed as cyclones recede, temperatures remain above normal
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, November 5: The back-to-back cyclonic storms Arnab and Murasu may have begun losing their influence over eastern India, but…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, November 5: The back-to-back cyclonic storms Arnab and Murasu may have begun losing their influence over eastern India, but their lingering atmospheric effects continue to delay the onset of winter in Jharkhand.
With minimum temperatures remaining above the seasonal average, the familiar November chill is yet to establish itself across the state.
After days of unsettled weather, cloudy skies and intermittent rainfall, conditions are gradually stabilising. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast morning mist and fog in several areas, followed by predominantly clear skies during the day.
There is no immediate indication of significant rainfall over Jharkhand on Thursday.
Ranchi recorded a minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, three degrees above normal. The IMD has forecast a minimum of around 18 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with the maximum likely to touch 28 degrees.
In Jamshedpur, the mercury is expected to hover around 17 degrees Celsius at night, while the daytime temperature may reach 29 degrees.
The persistent warmth during the night is particularly noticeable for early November, when a gradual seasonal decline in minimum temperatures is normally expected.
The absence of a sustained chill has also meant that residents are yet to experience the characteristic nip in the air associated with the arrival of winter.
Cyclonic systems continue to influence weather
The latest weather developments are linked to the remnants of severe cyclonic storm Murasu, which crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast before weakening into a depression and subsequently a well-marked low-pressure area over east Telangana and adjoining coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Its influence has kept weather patterns across parts of eastern and central India unsettled.
Misty mornings, pleasant afternoons ahead
The weather outlook for the next few days suggests a gradual transition towards more stable conditions.
Ranchi is likely to witness minimum temperatures of around 17 degrees Celsius between November 6 and 8, while daytime readings are expected to remain around 27 degrees.
Morning mist or fog is likely to persist, particularly in the early hours, before sunshine takes over.
However, the possibility of another spell of unsettled weather cannot be entirely ruled out. The IMD’s extended outlook indicates isolated to scattered rainfall over Jharkhand around November 9 and 10, even as the remnants of Murasu gradually dissipate.
Winter chill may take more time to arrive
The two successive cyclonic systems have disrupted the normal seasonal transition, keeping night temperatures elevated and postponing the arrival of sustained winter conditions.
A more noticeable chill is likely only when northerly and north-westerly winds gain strength and begin bringing colder air into the region.
For now, Jharkhand appears headed for a spell of relatively pleasant afternoons, misty mornings and warmer-than-usual nights, with winter still some distance away.
