What’s the weather today: IMD forecasts prolonged cold wave and dense fog in northern states; what travellers need to know
A prolonged spell of harsh winter conditions is forecast to impact the northern, northwest, as well as the eastern regions of India from the 14th of January. According to the All India Weather Summary & Forecast Bulletin, released by the India Meteorological Department, the impact of the following conditions can be anticipated: Cold waves, Severe Cold Waves, Ground Frost, Dense to Very Dense Fog in various states.According to the bulletin, the intensity of winter will continue to be high till January 19, especially over the Indo-Gangetic plane region of the country along with some parts of eastern India, where the issue of visibility due to fog is emerging as a major concern.
January 14: Severe cold and fog conditions intensify
Overall, there are likely to be cold wave conditions on January 14 in isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Rajasthan. In more threatening news, the IMD has predicted the possibility of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions in isolated places in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab. This suggests a significant drop in the minimum temperature in these areas.For the region of Uttarakhand, there are forecasted cold day conditions, where the maximum temperature will remain considerably below normal, along with ground frost at isolated places.
IMD weather update
Dense fog: Exposed / isolated places: Assam & Meghalaya, Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, dense to very dense fog is very likely in parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and West Uttar Pradesh, raising concerns about road, rail, and air traffic disruptions during morning hours.In addition to cold and fog, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, is expected over parts of the Comorin area, which could affect small fishing operations and coastal activities.
January 15: Cold waves persist, fog expands further
The cold wave conditions are expected to persist into January 15, affecting Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Punjab. The IMD has warned that fog coverage will expand further, with dense fog very likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.West Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness dense to very dense fog conditions at isolated locations, a pattern that has been repeatedly associated with severe visibility reduction during early morning hours. Despite these conditions, no fishermen warnings have been issued for January 15, indicating calmer conditions over most sea areas.
January 16–17: Fog becomes the dominant hazard
From January 16 onwards, the IMD expects fog to become the primary weather hazard across northern and eastern states. Dense fog is likely at isolated places over Bihar, east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal and Sikkim on January 16. West Uttar Pradesh will continue to face dense to very dense fog conditions.A similar pattern is forecast for January 17, with dense fog likely over east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal and Sikkim. Dense to very dense fog is also anticipated at isolated places in West Uttar Pradesh.The lack of rainfall, the calm wind, and the low temperatures during this time may likely lead to the continuation of the fog formation, especially in the lowlands. According to meteorologists, events such as this fog usually take place during the peak winter season.
January 18–19: Fog continues Across the Indo-Gangetic Plains
The fog spell is likely to continue until January 18, and regions to be impacted are East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab, while West Uttar Pradesh will experience dense to very dense fog once again. Going by January 19, dense fog is likely to continue at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, thus entering its seventh day in north India.During this period, there have been no fisherman warnings, which indicates that the sea conditions are quite stable, apart from the squally weather at the Comorin region.Dense and very dense fog can severely impact visibility during early morning and night hours in north India, especially on major highways, rail routes, and airports. In earlier instances, flights have been left postponed or cancelled, trains have been rescheduled, and national highways have faced congestion because of dense and very dense fog conditions.
Overall outlook
The IMD’s forecast underscores a prolonged winter spell marked by cold waves and fog rather than precipitation, with the most severe conditions concentrated between January 14 and January 19. People are advised to remain cautious, especially when traveling, in the early morning, in the affected states. As winter conditions remain the prevailing factor in northern India, the IMD will closely watch developments in this case for any updates if there are weather pattern changes.
