RANCHI: Amid intermittent rain and inclement weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has some good news for the Valentine’s Day revellers on Thursday. In its long-range forecast, the IMD has predicted dry weather with cold winds but warm sunshine on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
Though a fresh western disturbance is likely to get activated ahead on February 13, the feeble effect would reach Jharkhand three days later on February 16, the department said. This year, the winter has been mostly wet with several rounds of rainfall under the influence of western disturbances. The intermittent disturbances covered the state with clouds and pushed the mercury higher, thereby preventing any severe or prolonged cold wave in the state.
According to IMD, Jharkhand has received a cumulative winter rainfall of 53.4 mm against a normal of 19. 4 mm from January 1 to February 10, indicating 175% excess rainfall in the state. Last week, 23 of 24 districts received a large excess amount of rainfall. During the week beginning February 4, the state received 28.7 mm rainfall against a normal of 5.4mm, indicating 432% excess.
Scientist and in-charge of the IMD Ranchi office, Abhishek Anand, said the impact of the current western disturbance has reduced significantly and the weather is all set to be dry by Friday. “The highest rainfall of 35mm was recorded at Putki weather station of Dhanbad while many parts of the central Jharkhand received light rainfall during the last 24 hours,” he said. Though overcast conditions continued on Thursday resulting in warmer night temperatures, it is all set to fall during the next 48 hours.
The department has predicted below normal rainfall during the week beginning February 11 but there are chances of an increase in rainfall activity during the second week, beginning February 17. During these two weeks, the maximum temperature will remain below normal in most parts of the state whereas the minimum temperature is expected to remain below normal in the first half of Week 1 and rise thereafter. It would further remain below normal or near normal in the second week.
