The month of December comparatively and unusually remained hot with the mercury above 30 degrees Celsius in several districts in the last 10 days. Patna also had temperatures as high as 28.1 degrees on December 24 before falling to 25.7 degrees by December 27. However, this remains well above the normal maximum temperature of 22.3 degrees Celsius during this period of the year.

According to Patna Meteorological Centre director Ashish Kumar, most weather stations in the state were recording temperatures that are 3-4 degrees above normal.

“The state has been under the influence of warm easterly winds prevailing in the lower atmosphere. Cold westerly winds have been passing through the south of the state,” he said.

Kumar said the rise in temperatures is not due to climate change, as common people believe. “Multiple factors are influencing the weather system in the state, including jet stream and other wind patterns. A change in these conditions can create fog and lower temperatures. Currently, we are seeing heavy fog in nearby Uttar Pradesh, but not in Bihar. We cannot say for how long these conditions will prevail, but this is likely for at least the next 4-5 days,” he said.

“Dry weather persisted across the state on Wednesday. The state recorded a maximum temperature of 28.6°C in Forbesganj and a minimum of 10.3°C in Gaya. The average maximum temperature was recorded at 26.2°C and the average minimum at 13.2°C. A light fog was recorded in the morning in Patna, Gaya and Purnia,” said Kumar Gaurav, an official at the Patna Meteorological Centre.

“In the next 24 hours, dry weather is expected to persist across the state and no significant change in temperatures is expected. In addition, most parts of the state are likely to witness light to moderate fog in the morning,” he said.