Lucknow, Dec 14 (IANS): The temperature dropped considerably in Uttar Pradesh on Monday as the state got the first taste of winter chill of the season.

Chilly winds swept most parts of the state and according to the Met department, Sunday was the coldest day of the season in Lucknow and neighbouring areas.

While the weather office has forecast sunny days ahead, fog and icy winds from hills are likely to add to the winter bite.

Winds have been blowing at a speed of 17 km/ph and are laden with ice from the hills," an official from the Met department told IANS.

Over the past few days, night temperatures witnessed a steady decline across the state.

The temperature at night averages 6.8 degrees Celsius which is over a four degree Celsius fall from the previous week.

visibility, due to fog, has been reduced to 600 metres, disrupting vehicular, train and air traffic.

Over a dozen trains run behind their schedule in Northern and North-Eastern Railways, an official from railways department informed.

Heavy snowfall has also been reported from neighbouring Uttarakhand.