Girls enjoy the pleasant weather by taking a walk at Eco Park in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Jan. 3: Morning did not show the day in the state capital today. The weather was cloudy at daybreak but turned bright and sunny later.

Weathermen claimed that the sunny days are here to stay, at least for a couple of days. The maximum temperature is also expected to go up with the clear skies.

There is more good news in store for the citizens. The western disturbance from north India that was supposed to bring chill to the city this evening has also been delayed. It will reach only on January 6.

Patna Met department director Ashish Sen told The Telegraph: “We expected the cloud cover over Patna to clear in the morning. But it lasted till the afternoon. The skies will, however, be clear for the next two days. Day temperatures are expected to rise.”

Clear skies will also allow the heat from the earth’s surface escape faster. As a result, night temperatures will dip. “Mild fog or mist cover could also be seen in the morning,” added Sen.

The maximum temperature in the state capital today was 20.2°C, two degrees lower than normal. The minimum temperature stood at 13.3°C, four degrees above normal. It will stay like that for a couple of days.

“The western disturbance is over Punjab and is unlikely to reach Bihar before January 6. When it arrives, it may cause rain,” said Sen.

Encouraged by the pleasant weather, many citizens came out of their homes to enjoy. Many flocked to the zoo or the Eco Park.

Harshita Kanchan, a Kankerbagh resident, said: “The cloud cover and the cold winds had completely spoiled my New Year celebrations. I could hardly roam around in the city with my friends. But as soon as I saw the sun shinning bright in the skies today, we went to Eco Park and then to Mauryalok and enjoyed ourselves.”

The city, as well as different parts of the state, experienced light rainfall yester- day after cyclone Thane hit the coast of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.