Northern India is preparing for an intense cold wave beginning January 3, with dense fog and sharply falling temperatures expected to affect large parts of the region. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts warning of poor visibility and icy winds sweeping across the northern plains, raising concerns over travel disruptions and health risks.
As the new year begins, the country is bracing for a harsh winter phase marked by freezing conditions in the north. Thick fog, biting winds, and falling temperatures are expected to disrupt daily life across several states, while parts of southern India remain under a scattered rainfall watch.
Meteorological agencies have warned of dense to very dense fog across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh. The IMD has cautioned that visibility in many areas may fall below 50 metres, posing serious challenges for road, rail, and air transport. Such conditions are expected to significantly affect early morning travel and overall mobility.
Weather expert Devendra Tripathi of Mausam Tak explained that regions such as Delhi-NCR and northern Rajasthan are likely to experience prolonged fog cover. He noted that the fog may linger close to the surface, delaying the warming effect of sunlight and extending cold conditions well into the day. According to him, this could disrupt daily routines as temperatures remain low for longer hours.
The most severe impact is expected from strong northwesterly winds blowing in from the Himalayan region. These icy winds, tracked by national and international weather agencies, are forecast to move across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, reaching cities like Bhopal and Jabalpur. The cold air mass is also expected to extend toward eastern and central India.
Tripathi explained that the chill from the snow-covered northern mountains is likely to spread to regions such as Ranchi, Kolkata, and Raipur, causing a noticeable drop in nighttime temperatures. He added that the same wind system could reach Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. While these dry winds may help disperse air pollution in some cities, they will also bring a sharp fall in temperatures. In Delhi, minimum temperatures are expected to range between six and eight degrees Celsius.
In the northern hill states, the cold spell is expected to intensify further. Ground frost is likely in parts of Uttarakhand, while isolated cold wave conditions may prevail in Himachal Pradesh. In contrast, southern India is experiencing a different weather pattern, with rainfall activity gradually decreasing.
Although heavy rain in Tamil Nadu has started to ease, the IMD has forecast isolated thunderstorms in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Kerala. There is also a slight possibility of light rain in Bengaluru and nearby areas, according to weather experts.
In the higher altitudes of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, light snowfall is expected in some areas, though no major snow events are currently forecast. These regions, however, will continue to experience extremely cold conditions due to sustained low temperatures.
Authorities have issued advisories urging people to remain cautious during the cold spell. Motorists have been advised to use fog lights and drive slowly in low-visibility conditions. Health officials have also warned that prolonged exposure to cold weather could aggravate respiratory illnesses. Meanwhile, the IMD has cautioned fishermen against venturing into the Gulf of Mannar and waters near the Sri Lankan coast due to rough sea conditions.
