Key Points:
- IMD extends cold wave alerts till January 11 for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha
- Delhi records first cold day of 2026 with maximum temperature well below normal
- Temperatures to drop 2-3°C in northwest, central, and east India over next 2-4 days
- Dense fog warnings issued for 15 states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal
- Rajasthan faces orange alert with mercury dipping below 5°C in four major cities
- South India braces for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Kerala on January 9-10
The India Meteorological Department has intensified its cold wave warnings across the country, predicting severe conditions to persist until January 10-11 in several states. Cold wave conditions are very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Odisha from January 7 to January 9, while Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh will face the chill until January 10. The meteorological department has specifically warned that the cold will intensify in the coming days, with dense fog and cold wave conditions affecting north-west, central, and east India for the next 4-5 days.
Delhi and Northern Plains Brace for Harsh Winter
The national capital recorded its first cold day of 2026, with the maximum temperature dropping well below the seasonal average. The IMD has predicted cloudy skies and foggy conditions in Delhi, with the minimum temperature likely to hover around 10 degrees Celsius and maximum reaching 21 degrees Celsius. The cold spell continues in Uttar Pradesh, with the meteorological department forecasting a further drop in temperature and no immediate relief expected. In Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, the effects of the cold will be particularly severe on January 6 and 7.
Rajasthan Faces Orange Alert as Mercury Plummets
Rajasthan has been placed under an orange alert as temperatures have dropped significantly, with the mercury falling below 5 degrees Celsius in four major cities. The Jaipur weather center has forecast that cold wave conditions will persist in the state between January 8 and 11, while eastern Rajasthan will experience cold day conditions on January 7-8. The intensity of the cold is expected to be similar to what was witnessed in December 2019 and early 2024, with temperatures likely to remain 4-8°C below normal in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan between January 8-16.
Dense Fog Disrupts Life Across 15 States
Dense fog warnings have been issued for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu region, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim. The fog has severely impacted visibility, with major urban centers like Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, and Durgapur reporting visibility of around 100 meters. Airlines have warned passengers of potential flight delays due to the dense fog and cold wave conditions gripping north India. Kolkata recorded its coldest January day at 10.2 degrees Celsius, with the chill expected to intensify across southern West Bengal over the next couple of days.
Snowfall in Himalayas, Rain in South India
The IMD has predicted light rainfall or snowfall today in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. In South India, thunderstorms and lightning are likely in Tamil Nadu on January 8 and 9, with heavy rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Mahe on January 9 and 10. This contrasting weather pattern highlights the diverse meteorological conditions affecting different regions of the country simultaneously.
Temperature Forecast and Relief Timeline
The meteorological department has predicted a drop of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures in northwest India over the next four days, with no significant change expected for the subsequent three days. A similar drop of 2 to 3 degrees is also possible in central and east India over the next two days, after which the weather will remain stable for the next five days. Relief may be expected after January 10, with light rainfall and a rise in temperature possible in some areas due to a Western Disturbance.
