PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Feb 7: A renewed spell of winter chill has returned to Jharkhand, with minimum temperatures dropping below 10°C in many districts, tightening the winter grip across the state.
A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department, Ranchi, highlighted a clear cooling trend, particularly during the night, as temperatures dipped below seasonal averages.
Cooler days, colder nights
Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 24.7°C, 1.4°C below normal, while the minimum settled at 10.8°C, also below average. Jamshedpur experienced a warmer day with a maximum of 28.0°C, but the minimum temperature plunged to 10.6°C—about 4°C below normal.
Daltonganj reported a maximum of 28.6°C, slightly above normal, while the night temperature dropped sharply to 7.1°C, making it one of the coldest locations in the region. Bokaro recorded a maximum of 27.2°C and a minimum of 9.1°C, signalling the return of winter-like conditions.
Sharp contrast across the state
Chaibasa (PTO) recorded the highest maximum temperature in Jharkhand at 32.0°C, while Gumla AWS registered the lowest minimum temperature at just 5.0°C, highlighting a sharp day–night temperature contrast.
No rainfall was recorded anywhere in the state during the past 24 hours, keeping weather conditions dry.
Visibility levels dropped at some locations due to early-morning haze. Jamshedpur (MO) reported the lowest visibility of 2,000 metres.
AWS data confirms cold nights
Automated Weather Station (AWS) data further confirmed cold wave–like night conditions:
- Gumla AWS: Max 25.4°C, Min 5.0°C
- Khunti AWS: Max 27.4°C, Min 5.7°C
- Simdega AWS: Max 28.7°C, Min 6.9°C
- Latehar AWS: Max 19.6°C, Min 10.5°C
- Lohardaga AWS: Max 23.7°C, Min 9.8°C
In urban Ranchi, Hinoo recorded a minimum of 10.8°C, while Ranchi AMFU dipped further to 6.2°C.
Dry winds behind temperature drop
Meteorologists said the absence of cloud cover and dry north-westerly winds are contributing to the sharp fall in night temperatures. Residents—especially children, the elderly and early-morning commuters—have been advised to take precautions as Jharkhand witnesses a fresh bout of winter chill.