Delhi-NCR Weather Today Latest Updates: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest weather forecast predicted a wet spell over Northwest and adjoining central India on January 16, due to the influence of a Western disturbance. The IMD has also indicated that cold day conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh on January 16, with temperatures dropping significantly. Dense fog conditions are expected to continue across Northwest India for the next 4-5 days.
Dense fog will prevail during the night and early morning hours in many areas, particularly in regions like Himachal Pradesh from January 17-20. Other areas affected by dense fog include Gangetic West Bengal until January 16, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, and Odisha until January 17. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and other northeastern states will experience dense fog during various periods over the next few days.
Lightning, thunderstorm and heavy rain in Delhi-NCR at midnight, more in store
On Wednesday night, rainfall swept through the national capital after a thick fog enveloped Delhi-NCR, significantly reducing visibility and causing disruptions to more than 100 flights and 26 trains. The rainfall helped clear the air and gradually diminished the dense fog that had blanketed the region throughout the day. Earlier, the IMD had forecast rain for January 15 and 16 in Delhi NCR, with expectations that it would improve the region’s air quality.
For Thursday, the weather department has forecast cloudy skies with light rain and dense fog conditions. The minimum temperature is expected to be around 10 degrees Celsius, while the maximum will hover near 17 degrees Celsius. These conditions will result in a chillier day for residents, with fog likely impacting visibility, especially during the early morning hours.
Delhi NCR Schools Closed?
In response to the harsh weather conditions, both private and government schools have been ordered to suspend physical classes. Many states have also modified school hours to accommodate the extreme cold. In Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, schools have suspended classes for students from nursery to Class 8 until January 17, while Classes 9 and 11 will shift to hybrid learning. Additionally, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all schools to implement hybrid classes for students up to Class 9 and Class 11. This decision follows the invocation of stage four restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to a significant decline in air quality in the city.
IMD predicts gradual rise in temperatures
As temperatures shift, the IMD forecasts a gradual rise in minimum temperatures by 2-4 degrees Celsius over Northwest India over the next 5 days. Central India is likely to see a 2 degrees Celsius increase in minimum temperatures within the next 24 hours, with no significant changes expected thereafter. Meanwhile, East and West India are likely to experience little to no change in minimum temperatures during this period.
IMD issues rainfall alert for various states
On the rainfall front, isolated to scattered rainfall and snowfall activity is predicted over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and Uttarakhand on January 16, and in Himachal Pradesh from January 16-17. Rainfall is also expected in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh on January 16. Vidarbha will experience rain on January 16. Thunderstorms are expected to occur at isolated locations in West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Rajasthan from January 16-17.
Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast a fresh Western disturbance to affect the Western Himalayan Region starting on January 18, 2025. This will bring isolated to scattered rainfall and snowfall to the region between January 18-21.
The southern states will not be spared from weather disturbances either. The Nicobar Islands are expected to see isolated heavy rainfall on January 16. In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely on January 18-19. Kerala and Mahe will experience similar weather conditions on January 19, with isolated heavy rainfall expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, and Kerala during this period.