The dip in mercury was caused by westerly and north-westerly winds, it said. The lowest temperature of 6.1 degrees Celsius was recorded in Khunti town, followed by 6.8 degrees Celsius in Simdega town, 7.4 degrees Celsius in Ramgarh, 8 degrees Celsius in Daltonganj and 10.6 degrees Celsius in Jamshedpur. Ranchi shivered at 9.2 degrees Celsius, a drop of 5.4 degrees Celsius in the last three days. The state capital recorded a minimum temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius on December 27.

"The temperature dipped in the state due to prevailing westerly and north-westerly winds. Any major change in the mercury levels is unlikely over the next 24 hours. Subsequently, a rise in temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius is expected," Ranchi Meteorological Centre in-charge Abhishek Anand said. He said eastern parts of Jharkhand might experience light to moderate fog in the next 2-3 days.

Dry weather conditions may prevail in the state till January 5 with the minimum temperature likely to remain in the range of 8-15 degrees Celsius, the weatherman said.