Jamshedpur, Dec. 27: If you think the cold is biting now, then be warned. It will only get colder over the next two days.

The Patna Meteorological Office, which monitors weather conditions in Bihar and Jharkhand, has predicted a drop in minimum temperature by at least two degrees Celsius in the next 72 hours.

“The dominating north-westerly winds are likely to bring down the minimum temperature in most parts of the state by about two degrees Celsius in the next 72 hours. The biting cold conditions and snowfall in the northern plains will also have its impact on Jharkhand,” said S. I. Lashkar, officiating director of Patna Meteorological Office.

He said most places including Daltonganj, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Koderma and the hilly terrains of Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana witnessed a clear sky today with low humidity, which is conducive for bringing down the minimum temperature. “There is every possibility of a drop in temperature as we do not foresee any western disturbance,” he said.

Jamshedpur today recorded a minimum temperature of 8.8 degree Celsius, two degrees less than normal, while Ranchi recorded a minimum of 7.4 degree Celsius, three degrees below normal. Today's minimum temperature in Ranchi was the lowest of the season. Daltonganj today recorded 7.3 degree Celsius, one degree less than normal. Last winter, the minimum temperature in Daltonganj dropped to 3.7 degree Celsius on January 1 while in Jamshedpur and Ranchi, it hovered between 7 and 9 degree Celsius.

In Patna the minimum temperature plummeted to 6 degrees Celsius today. “The weather chart analysis suggests formation of high clouds over Jharkhand. But, it's going to be temporary. The clouds will disappear by tomorrow, paving the way for clear skies which will ensure a further dip in temperature,” said B.M. Chaudhary, an assistant meteorologists at the Patna Met Centre.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore in Calcutta also hinted at a fall in mercury in several parts of the state, especially the hilly terrains of Santhal Pargana and Chotanagpur Plateau in the next couple of days.

“We do not foresee any intervention of western disturbances in the next few days. The days will be bright with clear sky and this will lead to a drop in temperature,” said G.C. Debnath, director of the Met centre in Calcutta.

Statistics revealed that the mercury in most parts of the state had been 2-3 degree Celsius below normal over the last four days.