The new year has begun on a freezing note in Bihar, as dense fog and biting cold gripped most districts on Thursday morning. From early hours, visibility remained poor in several areas, affecting road and rail movement. According to the weather department, relief from the cold spell appears unlikely on January 1, 2026. Cold day conditions have been reported across large parts of the state, especially in northern districts, prompting officials to issue weather alerts for public safety.
Cold Day Alert Issued for North Bihar Districts
As per the latest Bihar weather forecast, nearly 19 districts in North Bihar are facing cold day conditions. Areas including Muजफ्फरपुर, दरभंगा, पूर्णिया, and surrounding regions continue to remain under the grip of chilling winds and persistent fog. The weather department has issued an Orange Alert for these districts, indicating severe cold conditions during daytime hours. Low solar radiation due to fog has further reduced maximum temperatures, making the day feel unusually cold.
Partial Sunshine Expected in South Bihar
While North Bihar remains severely affected, South Bihar may witness slight improvement during the day. Districts such as Patna, Gaya, Buxar, and Jamui are expected to see clearer skies with partial sunshine. If sunlight emerges as forecasted, temperatures may rise by one to two degrees Celsius. However, morning fog is likely to persist, especially during early commuting hours. Even with sunshine, the cold will remain noticeable throughout the day.
Fog Alert in Several Central and Southern Districts
The weather department has issued a Yellow Alert for dense fog in many central and southern districts. These include Buxar, Kaimur, Bhojpur, Patna, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Rohtas, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Begusarai. Dense fog during early morning hours may reduce visibility significantly, increasing the risk of accidents. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during early hours and follow safety precautions.
Orange Alert for Cold Day Conditions in Over 20 Districts
In addition to fog, cold day conditions continue to intensify across several districts. The weather office in Patna has issued an Orange Alert for western and eastern Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Siwan, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Vaishali, Kishanganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Supaul, Araria, Purnia, Saharsa, Madhepura, Munger, Jamui, Banka, and Bhagalpur. In these regions, daytime temperatures are expected to remain significantly below normal levels.
December 31 Recorded as the Coldest Night of the Year
As 2026 ended, Bihar experienced one of its coldest nights of the year. December 31 recorded exceptionally low temperatures across several districts. Gaya emerged as the coldest location with a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. Chhapra witnessed a sharp temperature drop of 5.7 degrees, with the mercury settling at 6.3 degrees Celsius. Other notably cold locations included Sabour at 5.6 degrees and Rajgir at 5.8 degrees Celsius. The sharp fall in temperature intensified cold wave conditions across the state.
Slight Weather Improvement Expected After January 2
Despite the harsh start to the new year, there is some relief in sight. Meteorological officials indicate that weather conditions may begin to improve gradually from January 2 onward. By January 7, temperatures across most districts could rise by up to three degrees Celsius. This increase may help reduce the intensity of cold day conditions and bring moderate relief to residents who have been struggling with prolonged cold.
Bihar Weather Summary for the Year 2026
Looking back at the weather trends of 2026, the year proved to be one of extremes for Bihar. The state experienced seven heat wave days during summer and thirteen cold day conditions during winter. Monsoon rainfall remained below normal, with the state receiving around 31 percent less rain than average. Despite the overall rainfall deficit, isolated areas experienced episodes of extremely heavy rainfall, causing localized disruptions.
A Year of Weather Extremes Comes to an End
Overall, 2026 remained in focus due to its contrasting weather patterns. From intense summer heat to prolonged winter cold, Bihar witnessed challenging climatic conditions throughout the year. As the new year begins under the shadow of dense fog and severe cold, residents are hoping for stable and moderate weather in the coming weeks. Until then, authorities continue to urge caution, especially during early mornings and late nights, as winter conditions remain harsh across the state.
