Fog lowers visibility in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur, Jan 3: Dense fog cover has disrupted morning visibility in the city. IMD’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre has issued an alert of dense fog at isolated areas in eastern and southern Jharkhand while the Met center has issued a forecast of moderate fog in north-western parts of the state.

According to the forecast, fog, mist and clouds would continue to prevail for the next 24- hours. A mainly clear sky is expected to prevail from Thursday, January 5.

Weathermen said no significant changes would take place in minimum readings for the next three days after which night reading is expected to witness a fall by two to three degree Celsius. Jamshedpur and its adjoining areas recorded a minimum temperature of around 14- 15 degree Celsius.

According to him, the weather chart analysis revealed formation of atmospheric circulations over the west Bay of Bengal , which he said would only go on to increase the wind speed in the next one or two days.

Statistics revealed that on December 31, 2007, the minimum temperature had dropped to five degree Celsius. The second lowest temperature of the season  in Jamshedpur was recorded on two days–December 22 and January 8– when the mercury dipped to 6.5 degree Celsius.

The maximum temperature in most places across the state also witnessed a fall of three to four notches  below normal in the last 24-hours. The humidity levels also witnessed a sharp fall indicating a clear and dry weather.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore in Calcutta also signaled no reprieve from the cold. ” Cold wave conditions would continue to dominate over Jharkhand in the next 48-hours. Severe cold waves would prevail in hilly terrains and plateau regions for the next couple of days,” said an official of the Alipore Met Centre.

Weathermen also hinted at an extended winter in Jharkhand keeping in view the prevailing weather conditions. ” Never before has the cold wave spell continued for such a long time in the state, which is an indication of an extended weather. Moreover, the wind pattern which is north westerly in direction is also helping in sustaining the cold wave conditions,” explained a senior meteorologist at the Patna Met Office. The senior Met official said that winter usually departs Jharkhand in the third week of February . But, this year it is expected to stay till the end of the month.