Jamshedpur: A spell of rain and thunderstorms across Jharkhand on Saturday, March 21, triggered a noticeable drop in both maximum and minimum temperatures, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Statewide Temperature Dips
The Meteorological Centre at Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, released a Daily Evening Weather Bulletin highlighting significant departures from normal temperatures. Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 26.4°C, which sits 5.6 degrees below normal and 6.8 degrees lower than Friday’s peak. The city’s minimum temperature settled at 15.4°C, nearly 2 degrees below the seasonal average.
Jamshedpur recorded a maximum of 29.8°C, a sharp 5.6-degree drop from the normal mark. Its minimum temperature hovered at 18.8°C, staying marginally above normal by 0.2 degrees. Daltonganj mirrored this cooling trend with a maximum of 29.8°C (4.8 degrees below normal) and a minimum of 16.1°C. While Bokaro reported a higher maximum of 31.1°C, it still remained 2.7 degrees below normal.
Rainfall and Regional Variations
The Saraikela AWS recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 32.1°C. However, the Ranchi Meteorological Centre reported the heaviest rainfall between 08:30 and 17:30, measuring 27.0 mm. Data from Automated Weather Stations (AWS) further confirmed the cooling trend:
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Pakur: Witnessed one of the steepest dips at 10.1 degrees below normal.
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Hazaribag: Recorded a maximum of 25.5°C.
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Baharagora & Gumla: Settled at 27.9°C and 27.8°C, respectively.
Several districts reported significant rainfall, including West Singhbhum’s Jagannathpur (20.5 mm), Ranchi (18.5 mm), Simdega (13.0 mm), Gumla (4.5 mm), and Lohardaga (2.0 mm).
Meteorological Outlook
Meteorologists attribute this widespread cooling to heavy cloud cover and intermittent thunderstorm activity. The IMD bulletin suggests these weather patterns will likely keep temperatures below normal in the short term, providing residents much-needed relief from the early onset of summer heat.
