The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stark warning for a prolonged spell of severe winter weather across large parts of the country. According to its latest All India Weather Forecast Bulletin issued on January 3, 2026, at 07:51 pm, the intensity of the winter is expected to continue from January 4 onwards, bringing cold waves, dense to very dense fog, and chances of rainfall or snow in various regions. This challenging weather pattern is predicted to remain valid until January 9, 2026.
Cold Wave to Grip Northwest India
The forecast indicates that cold wave conditions will be a dominant feature across northwest India in the coming days. Starting January 4, isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan are very likely to experience cold wave conditions. Additionally, cold day conditions are expected in Bihar and Uttarakhand, signaling persistently low temperatures.
This pattern is set to continue on January 5, with the same northern states bracing for another round of cold waves. Bihar may also see isolated cold day conditions. While a slight easing is anticipated by January 6, cold wave conditions are likely to persist at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
The IMD update suggests that the cold wave will linger in pockets until January 7. Specifically, isolated conditions could continue over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until January 7, over West Rajasthan from January 5 to 8, and over East Rajasthan from January 4 to 8.
Widespread Dense Fog to Disrupt Travel
Dense to very dense fog remains a major concern for North, East, and Central India, particularly during morning and night hours, posing significant risks to road, rail, and air transportation.
On January 4, dense fog is very likely at isolated places in a long list of states including Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal & Sikkim. Thick to very thick fog is forecast over Haryana, Chandigarh, Odisha, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
The foggy conditions will intensify on January 5, with dense to very dense fog very likely over east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Odisha, and Punjab. The bulletin warns that fog will extend beyond January 7, affecting several regions:
- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh: Dense fog from January 6 to 10.
- East Uttar Pradesh: Chances of dense fog on January 9-10.
- Bihar: Similar conditions up to January 9.
- Odisha: Dense fog on January 7-8.
- Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand: Fog conditions up to January 8.
Rain in Himalayas & Southern India
The Western Himalayan region is not spared from the active weather. The forecast indicates light rainfall or snowfall at isolated places over the region, extending to Himachal Pradesh on January 6. While no widespread precipitation is expected, this activity could further lower temperatures in the adjoining plains.
Looking towards the end of the forecast period, southern India is also set to see some weather action. Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall activity is likely over Tamil Nadu and the Nicobar Islands during January 8 to 10.
The IMD's comprehensive bulletin underscores a week dominated by harsh winter conditions for much of northern and eastern India, urging residents and authorities to take necessary precautions against the cold and travel disruptions caused by dense fog.
