Weathermen have hinted at an early winter in Jharkhand this year.

Met department officials said on Thursday that their conclusion was based on the observations of various weather models.

"This year, rainfall activity in Jharkhand, both during pre-monsoon season and during the four- month monsoon that ended in September, have been normal and quite impressive in some of the districts.Temperatures this winter are likely to remain slightly above normal but the season is expected early in Jharkhand and several other states. The findings of South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASOF) also suggest early advent of winter in our country, " said a senior official of IMD-New Delhi.

He, however, said that IMD would conduct further analysis and come up with a report on whether the coming winter season will be severe or not.

A climate analyst at IMD's Ranchi Meteorological Centre said that the wind pattern over the state is expected to change to north-westerly in the first week of November, when people will start feeling a nip in the air.

People usually get a feel of the winter in Jharkhand around mid-November. After its advent it takes about a week or so for the complete onset of winter.

But this year, the advent of the cold season is expected in early November.

"The prevailing weather condition suggests winter will arrive early. The good monsoon rain resulted in good water in the soil, hence maximum fall in the temperature is likely to be observed, " said a duty officer at IMD's local observatory in Jamshedpur.

During the past 24 hours, Jharkhand experienced light rain at isolated places, according to Met data. The forecast indicates dry and clear weather in most parts of the state during the next 72 hours.