Most parts of Jharkhand felt the effect of a western disturbance with overcast skies in several places, including Ranchi and Jamshedpur, robbing the winter of its bite.

But by the middle of next week, winter I expected to be back in right earnest.

Weathermen said that the western disturbance _ an extra-tropical storm that upon arrival causes showers, fog and snow-- passing through higher latitudes impacted the weather in many northern states as well as Jharkhand since Thursday. Its effect is expected to last for the next two days.

Deputy director of Ranchi Meteorological Centre Abhishek Anand said the western disturbance had resulted in two cyclonic circulations.

"The cyclonic circulations, extending up to 1.5 km above sea level, and the easterly winds are bringing moisture from the Bay of Bengal. The twin systems will prevail over the state for the next 48 hours resulting in a rise in night readings," he said.

Around mid-week after that, the mercury was expected to witness an abrupt drop, he added.

As per the forecast, shallow fog would continue to prevail for the next two days, which would reduce surface visibility in the morning. The wind pattern over Jharkhand had also changed owing to the twin systems. South-easterly winds have been dominating most parts of the state since Friday. This has resulted in an abrupt rise in minimum temperatures.

Minimum readings in Jamshedpur (East Singhbhum) and in districts like Simdega, Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum had jumped six to seven notches above normal. While in Ranchi, Daltonganj and several other northern districts the night readings recorded were around eight notches above normal.

The local IMD observatory in Jamshedpur on Friday recorded a minimum of 17.4°C, seven degrees above normal. Capital Ranchi on Friday recorded a night temperature of 17.2°C, eight points above normal. The observatory in Daltonganj read 16.4°C, 7.5 notches above the average normal.

Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ramgarh and several other districts on Friday recorded minimum reading if over 16°C.

Most residents have felt the change in weather conditions. "The weather is giving a summer like feel since Thursday. The nip in the air is missing," said Anjani Sharma, a homemaker and regular morning walker at Telco.