PATNA: Cold weather is getting intense with the onset of foggy conditions and the minimum temperature hovering around 11 degrees C. Weathermen claimed that foggy or hazy conditions along with the chill are likely to persist over the next few days.
The weathermen attributed the foggy conditions to a high level of humidity in the lower atmosphere and calm winds. “As per meteorology, foggy conditions are declared at a place if the visibility is less than 1,000 meters and humidity is higher than 90%. Such condition is prevailing at most places in Bihar and it is likely to continue over the next few days as wind speed is quite low, which is averting the dispersal of the moisture,” said Sanjay Kumar, a meteorologist at the Patna met centre.
The visibility plunged to 500 meters in Patna in the last 24 hours and the level of humidity was 91% at 8.30 am and 87% at 5.30 pm. The lowest minimum temperature in the state on Friday was 9.6 degrees C at Gaya.
“Mist or fog witnessed in most places in the state in the past 24 hours. The visibility in Patna remained at 500 meters for three hours. The wind was calm in Patna. The foggy or misty conditions will subside following increase in wind speed or rainfall,” said Sudhanshu Kumar, an officer at the Patna meteorological centre.
Kumar added that no significant change was noticed in the minimum temperature recorded, the maximum temperature dropped by one degree C.
Meteorologists attributed the plunge in the day temperature to the fog cover, which is obstructing the solar rays from reaching the lower level of the atmosphere.