Winter blast to outlast Feb.

Pinaki Majumdar, TT, Jamshedpur, Jan. 16: For most people, Makar Sankranti, the celestial transition of the sun into Makar or Capricorn, marks the end of winter, but this year, weathermen beg to differ.

If long-range meteorological forecasts are any indication, winter is likely to stay longer in Jharkhand, all through February or even beyond. Usually, winter bids the state a firm goodbye in the second week of February.

In meteorological parlance, it's winter in Jharkhand if night readings stay below 13°C. Right now, in most districts of Jharkhand, the minimum readings are below 10°C. Across the state, sub-10 chill is likely till January-end.

The reason for this is two-fold. One, the relentless cold wave that is sweeping across the northern parts of the country will impact Jharkhand's weather condition. Two, four or five western disturbances (sudden rain) are likely, lowering temperatures in the state.

"Prevailing north-westerly winds have dragged down the mercury. Cold wave conditions are prevailing in a few parts of the state, including Giridih, where the minimum reading is six notches below normal. Conditions are favourable for winter as the northwesterly wind continues to dominate. Our observations indicate an extended winter," said L.K. Giri, the officiating director of Patna Meteorological Centre. "Four or five western disturbances are likely to pass through northern parts of India, prolonging Jharkhand's winter," Giri added.

The senior Met official said winter generally stayed till the second week of February in Bihar and Jharkhand. But, this year it is expected to stay till the end of February and even beyond that.

Weather officials in Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore, Calcutta, agreed that winter would stay for longer in Jharkhand. "The weather pattern and other Met observations suggests an extended winter in the eastern parts of the country," said a duty officer.

For the past two days, Kanke has topped the Celsius chart with night readings hovering around 5°C Celsius. In Ranchi, the minimum reading dropped during the last 24 hours due to clear weather and a favourable wind pattern, as the capital today recorded a minimum reading of 6.8°C, against yesterday's 7.7°C. Today's minimum reading in Ranchi was three notches below normal.

The IMD observatory in Giridih today recorded a minimum reading of 7.4°C against yesterday's 8°C. In Bokaro too, moderate cold wave conditions persisted today with a minimum reading of 7.7°C, five notches below normal.

Minimum readings in Jamshedpur and Daltonganj were slightly higher at 9.8°C and 9.5°C, respectively, two notches below normal at both places. Temperatures are likely to fall further in both.