The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest forecast on Saturday (January 13) informed that dense to very dense fog conditions are expected to persist over parts of north India for the next 4-5 days.
The plains of Northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, are anticipated to experience cold day to severe cold day conditions for the next four days, gradually improving thereafter. A cold wave to severe cold wave is also forecasted during the next three days in these regions, indicating a further drop in temperatures.
Coldwave and dense fog conditions
Dense to very dense fog conditions are expected to prevail over various regions during the coming days. In Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, north Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, residents can expect reduced visibility during the morning hours.
Moreover, cold day to severe cold day conditions will persist in several parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Uttar Pradesh during this period. Additionally, isolated pockets in Bihar are likely to experience cold day conditions.
Northeast Monsoon retreats
On the other hand, the Northeast Monsoon, which has been active over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, and adjoining areas of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and South Interior Karnataka, is expected to cease around January 15, 2024.
In the Western Himalayan Region, a Western Disturbance is currently influencing the weather pattern. This disturbance is likely to bring light rainfall and snowfall at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, and Himachal Pradesh. Another Western Disturbance is expected to impact the region from January 16, bringing light rainfall and snowfall in specific areas.
Delhi records season’s coldest morning
On Saturday, Delhi experienced its coldest night of the season with a recorded minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees Celsius, as reported by IMD. The city had witnessed a slightly higher minimum temperature of 3.9 degrees Celsius on the preceding Friday. Saturday’s maximum temperature settled at 18.1 degrees Celsius, marking a deviation of two notches below the season’s average. The minimum temperature for the day was recorded at 3.6 degrees Celsius, representing a four-notch deviation below the season’s average, according to the IMD.
Anticipating a continuation of the cold spell, the weather department has forecasted a cold wave for Sunday. The expected maximum and minimum temperatures are projected to hover around 19 and 4 degrees Celsius, respectively.