There seems to be no escape from the shiver, as the sub-10 chill revived across the state on Sunday.

Weathermen are expecting a comparatively longer stay of the icy conditions in the region this year.

Patna district administration on Sunday declared closure of schools up to Class VIII till January 21. This is the third extension of closure in January because of the cold.

Residents can expect another extension of closure of schools in Patna, as weathermen are expecting shivery weather and even rainy conditions for a couple of days around January 25 because of western disturbance.

Winter is, in fact, here to stay. If long-range meteorological forecasts are any indication, winter is likely to stay longer in Bihar, all through February or even beyond. Usually, winter bids the state adieu in the second week of February.

In meteorological parlance, it's winter in Bihar if night readings stay below 13 degrees Celsius. Right now, in most districts of Bihar, the minimum readings are hovering around 10 degrees Celsius.

Weathermen said such wintry conditions are expected to prevail at least till the last week of February. 'The minimum temperature is not expected to rise above 13 degrees in most places till February 25,' said R.K. Giri, the officiating director of Patna Meteorological Centre.

The reasons for the extended winter are two. First, the relentless cold wave that is sweeping across the northern parts of the country will impact Bihar's weather condition. Second, two or three western disturbances (sudden rain) are likely in the coming days, lowering temperatures in the state.

'Prevailing north-westerly winds have dragged down the mercury. Day-cold conditions are prevailing in a few parts of the state, including Bhagalpur, where the maximum readings are being recorded six to nine notches below normal. Conditions are favourable for winter, as the northwesterly wind continues to dominate. Our observations indicate an extended winter,' said Giri. 'Two or three western disturbances are likely to pass through northern parts of India, prolonging Bihar's winter,' Giri added.

The senior Met official said winter generally stays till the second week of February in Bihar and Jharkhand. But this year it is expected to stay till the end of February and even beyond that.

'Over the past couple of years, the spell of severe wintry conditions - cold wave or day-cold - normally prevailed till first week of January. But this time, such conditions are expected to prevail in the state till February 10-15 under the influence of western disturbances,' said Giri.

Giri added that the spell of severe cold condition prevailed almost throughout December and January, till date.

'According to the assessment of the weather records of Patna over the past 50 years, normally there have been five to six day-cold conditions in January. But this time, there have already been around eight incidents of day-cold conditions till date,' said Giri.

Day-cold condition is said to be prevailing when the actual maximum temperature is less than 16 degrees Celisus and it is around eight to 10 degrees Celsius below the normal temperature for the day.