Residents of Bihar experienced a fleeting moment of relief on Tuesday as hazy sunshine broke through the persistent gloom, offering a slight respite from the biting winter chill that has gripped the state. However, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert, warning that severe cold day conditions and dense fog are set to continue, with a further drop in temperatures expected in the new year.
A Fleeting Respite Amidst the Chill
After days of overcast skies, several areas, including the capital Patna, witnessed mild and hazy sunshine in the afternoon. This brief spell lifted spirits, even as cold winds continued to blow and temperatures remained significantly below normal. Mornings across the state, particularly in northern and south-western districts as forecast by the IMD, were shrouded in moderate to dense fog.
The respite was far from uniform. Severe cold day conditions continued to prevail through the entire day in many districts, including Nalanda, Gaya, Aurangabad, and parts of Rohtas like Dehri, keeping maximum temperatures well below seasonal averages.
Temperature Readings Across the State
The mercury painted a picture of a state in the firm grip of winter. Rajgir in Nalanda district recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 7.7 degrees Celsius. Across Bihar, minimum temperatures ranged between 7.7 and 12.6 degrees Celsius.
On the maximum temperature front, Bikramganj in Rohtas registered the highest at 17.7 degrees Celsius. Overall, maximums hovered between 13.5 and 17.7 degrees, marking a marginal rise of 1 to 2 degrees in some places compared to previous days.
In Patna, the minimum temperature was 12.5 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature saw a slight increase of two notches from Monday, settling at 16.9 degrees Celsius. Despite this minor rise, it remained a significant 5.4 degrees below the normal level for this time of year. The city experienced moderate fog in the morning and late evening, but intermittent sunshine made the daytime feel comparatively milder.
IMD Forecast: Orange Alert and a Colder Outlook
In its bulletin issued on Tuesday, IMD Patna issued an orange alert for severe cold day conditions and dense fog, cautioning residents as the harsh winter shows no signs of easing with the transition into 2026.
The forecast details a persistent pattern. On December 31, 2025, severe cold day-like conditions are likely in a few places in northern and south-western Bihar, while dense fog may affect some locations in the northern, south-western, and south-central regions, significantly reducing visibility.
"The cold day conditions are forecast to continue in isolated pockets of northern districts, with dense fog likely at one or two places in most districts statewide, on New Year’s Day," said a meteorologist. "By January 2, the pattern shifts slightly, with cold day situations possible in parts of the north-western and north-eastern districts, accompanied by dense fog."
The duty officer, Soni Kumari, indicated that no major change in day or night temperatures is expected over the next five days. However, a more pronounced chill is on the horizon. From January 5, the minimum temperature is expected to fall by 8 to 10 degrees in most parts of the state, dropping to between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures are likely to remain in the range of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius until January 5.
