Jharkhand is caught in a weather whiplash, courtesy of powerful westerly winds fueled by northern blizzards. Nights across the state, including capital Ranchi, have turned frigid, with minimum temperatures crashing amid clear skies. In Gumla, the mercury hit just 5°C, contrasting wildly with Chaibasa’s 32°C daytime peak recorded Saturday. The India Meteorological Department links this to cold air masses invading from the northwest.
While evenings demand woolens, afternoons under unrelenting sun feel almost summery. Ranchi enjoyed mostly sunny conditions Saturday, with moderate chilly winds enhancing the morning frostiness. The pattern repeats daily: tolerable warmth peaking midday, followed by rapid cooling.
Saturday’s temperature roundup reveals the divide—Ranchi 24.7°C/10.8°C; Jamshedpur 28°C/10.6°C; Daltonganj 28.6°C/7.1°C; Bokaro 27.2°C/9.1°C; Chaibasa 32°C/10.4°C. Such variability affects health, agriculture, and energy use, with higher heating demands at night.
With northwesterly winds showing no signs of abating, colder nights loom larger. The department urges vigilance against cold-related ailments, recommending layered clothing and indoor warmth. This cold snap heralds Jharkhand’s winter, blending sunny reprieves with nocturnal shivers.