Jamshedpur: Weathermen predict extended winter this season

Jamshedpur, Feb 8: With nip in the air during night and morning, the Ranchi Met Centre has indicated that winter in the region is likely to get an extension. Winter usually lasts till the second week of February. But, the frequent western disturbances are likely to extend the winter season this season.

A duty officer at Ranchi Met Centre said that as per prevailing pattern of the minimum readings we apprehend that the chill is here to stay till February end.

Another western disturbance is brewing in the northern part of the country and it is likely to impact the weather condition of Jharkhand around February 23. Meanwhile, weathermen at IMD’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre today said that the minimum temperature during the next four to five days.

The senior Met official said that winter usually departs Jharkhand in the second week of February. But, this year it is expected to stay till the end of the month.

Statistics revealed that on December 31, 2007, the minimum temperature had dropped to five 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 situation will continue to remain the same for the next three to four days. There will be no respite from the cold weather. The westerlies blowing will keep the weather cold for the next two days at least,” said an official of the local meteorological department.

The official went on to say that the adverse weather would prolong winter’s stay in Jharkhand. ” Under normal circumstances winter departs Jharkhand by mid-February. But, the current change in weather system would extend the winter in Jharkhand,” said the official, adding that winter might get extended beyond February 23 as they were expecting another western disturbance which would impact Jharkhand’s weather around that time.

The adverse weather would result in a rise in minimum readings by two to three degree Celsius in the next two days. Weathermen said minimum readings would again witness an abrupt fall after the impact of the cyclonic circulation wanes.