‘This December was wettest in recent times’

PATNA: Acting director at Patna Meteorological Centre Anand Shankar talks to Faryal Rumi about the prevailing biting cold conditions across the state. Excerpts:
What has been the peculiar feature of winter season this year?
The onset of winter this time was marked by rainfall and it dissipated the suspended particulate matters (SPM) in the atmosphere. Since the SPM was less in the atmosphere as compared to winter season in the previous years, it led to fog formation in early morning hours though it dissipated quickly.Thus, the peculiar feature of this winter season was formation of dense to very dense fog, which dissipated 3-4 hours of its formation. Also, we witnessed more rain in state, including Patna, in December when compared to previous years.
Day temperature plunged more this winter as compared to night temperature. Why so?
Various climatic factors were responsible for lower day temperature, especially frequent western disturbance which led to cloudy weather and showers. This December was one of the rainiest in the state in recent times. Patna witnessed 31.4mm rainfall in December against the average 6.6mm rain it received last year. Earlier in 1998 and 1986, Patna had witnessed 41.2mm and 110.4mm of rainfall, respectively, in December. The cloud cover obstructed solar rays, which led to plunge in day temperature.
IMD had initially predicted that this winter is going to be warmer. Has it been so?
It has been a mild winter for the state this time. The IMD had clearly mentioned that maximum temperature will be slightly below normal. December was still warmer than the corresponding average in terms of minimum temperature. Nevertheless, maximum temperature remained below normal.
What about frequency of western disturbances this winter?
The frequency of western disturbances was more than previous year this time. Last western disturbance that affected Bihar was on January 8 and 9 and the next is expected between January 15 and January 16. Bihar witnessed western disturbance in every 4-6 days this winter. Most western disturbances had minimal impact on the state because of their amplitude and low intensity by the time they reached Bihar.
What was the frequency of cold wave and cold day conditions this winter?
Patna witnessed four cold days and three severe cold days in December. No cold wave condition was reported in Patna last month. The scenario in the entire state was more or less same if we talk about the number of cold days.
Now that another western disturbance is approaching, how will be the weather over the next few days?
According to the IMD predictions, the upcoming western disturbance will not affect the state. Minimum temperature across the state will remain below normal and in the range 7-12 degrees C till January 16. Thereafter, the minimum temperature will rise to 11 to 14 degrees C. The day temperature will be slightly higher and the maximum temperature will also increase from January 16 onwards till January 23.
What has caused more discomfort to people this winter – low temperature or windy conditions?
Mean maximum temperature was less than the climatic average by 3 degrees C on most days causing discomfort to people. The other reason for the discomfort was wettest December in recent times. Patna witnessed the minimum of 4.8 degrees C on December 28. It was the second lowest temperature since 1969 in the month of December. In 2012, 4.4 degrees C was recorded on December 30, 2012.
Will winter depart early this time?
It is too early to comment on this.
Can we brace for a hot summer this time?
A bulletin will be released about the onset of summer probably in the last week of February.