Mussoorie, Jan. 2 -- Dry weather and biting cold marked New Year's day across the state, with the plains reeling under severe cold day conditions while higher-altitude regions experienced comparatively warmer daytime temperatures, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun centre. Weather data recorded over the past 24 hours till 8.30 am on Thursday showed a sharp contrast between the plains and the hills. While the plains witnessed a significant dip in maximum temperatures, the hill districts recorded daytime temperatures well above the seasonal average. Cold day conditions prevailed in the plains, with Pantnagar recording the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 3.4degC. In Dehradun, the temperature plunged to 6.9degC below normal, placing the city under the category of a "severe cold day", IMD officials said. Dense fog further aggravated conditions in the Tarai belt. Visibility dropped to just 150 metres in Khatima, creating poor visibility conditions for commuters. High-altitude areas such as Mukteshwar reported ground frost, posing risks to winter crops and horticulture. In contrast, the hill district of Pithoragarh emerged as the warmest location in the state, registering a maximum temperature of 21.6degC. While hill areas remained largely sunny, the plains continued to remain trapped under a thick blanket of cold air and fog. Despite the intense cold, the state received no rainfall or snowfall, with both manual and automated weather stations reporting nil precipitation, the IMD Dehradun centre said. CS Tomar, director, IMD Dehradun centre, said, "Pantnagar experienced cold day conditions with a departure of nearly five degrees Celsius below normal in daytime temperatures due to dense fog cover. However, the drop in night temperatures was marginal as the fog prevented further cooling." The IMD has forecast dense fog at isolated places in Haridwar and US Nagar and the plains of Nainital, Champawat, Pauri and Dehradun over the coming days....