Several parts of the state, including Ranchi and Jamshedpur, were rainy from Wednesday to Thursday, the untimely showers causing days to get colder and nights warmer.

However, weathermen have predicted a dry Friday with a mercury freefall.

However, Data revealed that light to moderate rain occurred at most places over Jharkhand in the past 24 hours (8.30am Wednesday to 8.30am Thursday).

Simdega recorded 32.8mm, the heaviest rain in the state. Ranchi and Torpa (in Ranchi district) recorded 18.5mm of rain. Hindgir (again Ranchi district), Ramgarh, Pakuria (Pakur district), Latehar, Hazaribagh, Tenughat (Bokaro district) were among places that saw rainfall of 10mm each.

Moderate to dense fog was observed at places including Ranchi, Jamshedpur and other parts of Kolhan. Dense fog reduced surface visibility soon after the sunrise around 6.30am. Shallow and moderate fog prevailed till afternoon at many places.

Director of Ranchi Meteorological Centre S.D. Kotal said a cyclonic circulation over central parts of south Uttar Pradesh persisted and extended up to 1.5km above mean sea level. A trough also existing 0.9km above mean sea level.

Kotal, however, predicted dry weather and a dip in mercury from Friday.

Ranchi Met Centre predicted fall of four to five notches in night readings in the next 72 hours. Shallow to moderate fog would also prevail in many pockets of Jharkhand during the next 48 hours.

Ranchi on Thursday recorded a minimum temperature of 13.1°C, three notches above normal. On Wednesday, Ranchi had recorded a minimum of 9.2°C. Jamshedpur clocked a minimum of 15.7°C, five notches above normal. On Wednesday, the steel city had recorded a minimum of 11.8°C Daltonganj on Thursday clocked a night reading of 14.5°C against Wednesday 10.1°C. Thursday’s night reading in Daltonganj was five notches above normal.