“Cold-day conditions are very likely in some to many parts of Delhi on December 30 and 31,” the IMD said.
As dense to very dense fog continues to envelop many parts of Northwest India, creating challenging visibility conditions, the region braces for further atmospheric changes in the coming days. According to the weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense fog is expected to persist for the next two days and gradually decrease after that.
In addition to the foggy conditions, Northwest and Central India are anticipated to experience light isolated rainfall from December 30, 2023, to January 2, 2024. A “cold-day” warning has also been sounded by the Met Office for the national capital. Moreover, parts of Himachal and Kashmir are likely to experience snowfall in the coming days as the temperature drops.
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‘Cold-day’ alert sounded in Delhi
IMD on Friday issued a “cold-day” warning, forecasting the likelihood of experiencing “dense to very dense fog” in Delhi-NCR over the next 48 hours. The minimum temperature was documented at 10.7 degrees Celsius, which is four notches above the seasonal average.
Additionally, the weather office has indicated a high chance of a “cold wave” in isolated areas of Delhi, commencing from the second week of January. The IMD’s advisory states that “cold-day conditions are very likely in some to many parts of Delhi on December 30 and 31.”
Temperature drops and dense fog grip Uttar Pradesh
According to a statement issued by the Meteorological Department, dense fog is anticipated to impact 30 districts, including Lucknow, particularly during the night and morning hours on both Saturday and Sunday. Najibabad in Bijnor district was identified as the coldest location in the state, registering a minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius.
Simultaneously, a decline in the minimum temperature was observed throughout the state. Over the last 24 hours, there has been a notable decrease in the maximum temperatures across Ayodhya, Lucknow, Moradabad, and Meerut divisions, according to the Met office.
Dense fog likely to prevail in Punjab for next 3 days
The Met Office announced on Friday that dense to very dense fog is expected to persist across most of Punjab from December 29 to 31.
“Dense to very dense fog conditions very likely to continue in most places over Punjab from 29th night to 31st morning and in some pockets for subsequent 3 days,” said the MeT department in a post on ‘X’.
Kashmir grapples with intense cold and foggy conditions
Dense fog shrouded many parts of Jammu & Kashmir with the minimum temperature dropping several degrees below the freezing point. Kashmir is currently experiencing “Chilla-i-Kalan,” a 40-day harsh winter period marked by significantly lowered temperatures, leading to the freezing of water bodies, including Dal Lake, and water in supply lines.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature settled at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night, as the city and various locations in the valley have been experiencing foggy conditions for the past week. Gulmarg, a renowned ski resort in Baramulla, recorded a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius. Qazigund reported a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, Kokernag town minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 4 degrees Celsius, according to officials.
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Rainfall likely in Himachal
IMD predicted rainfall or snowfall in isolated areas of the mid and higher hills of Himachal Pradesh on both Saturday and Sunday, influenced by a fresh western disturbance prevailing over the region. Additionally, the Met office foresees the possibility of moderate to dense fog in the lower hills during the mornings, leading to reduced visibility, as stated on Friday.
Over the next 48 hours, the Met office predicts rainfall and snow in isolated locations in Mandi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Kangra, Paonta Sahib, and Dhaula Kuan (Sirmaur), as well as moderate to dense fog during the mornings in Baddi and Nalagarh (Solan).
Rainfall likely in Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Due to the impact of a new easterly wave, there is a high likelihood of experiencing light to moderate isolated to scattered rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Lakshadweep from December 29, 2023, to January 2, 2024. Additionally, isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated over Tamil Nadu on December 29, 2023, January 1, and January 2, 2024.
