Residents of North India officially welcomed a harsh winter season on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as a blanket of dense fog and a biting cold wave descended upon the plains, creating challenging conditions for daily life and travel. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued extensive advisories, warning of reduced visibility, disrupted transport, and unusually low temperatures stretching from the northern plains down to parts of South India.
Widespread Fog and Chilling Temperatures Disrupt Normal Life
The national capital region bore the brunt of the winter onset. Delhi NCR experienced a cold and foggy morning on December 17, with shallow to moderate fog reducing visibility. While skies were expected to clear later, maximum temperatures were forecast to hover between 22–24 °C, with minimums plunging to a chilly 9–11 °C. The IMD cautioned that early morning fog could significantly disrupt road, rail, and air travel schedules.
The situation was equally severe across the broader northern plains. States including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and the union territory of Chandigarh grappled with intense cold and dense fog. Major cities like Lucknow and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh were predicted to face extremely low visibility, making road travel hazardous and slowing down railway and flight operations. The meteorological department has explicitly urged people in affected areas to wear warm clothing and take necessary precautions against the cold.
Hill States Brace for Snow, South and Northeast on Alert
The winter narrative took a different turn in the Himalayan region. A weak Western Disturbance is influencing weather in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, raising the possibility of light rain and snowfall. Popular tourist destinations such as Kullu, Manali, and Shimla may witness intermittent snow showers, adding to the winter woes but also the scenic beauty.
Meanwhile, the cold wave is not confined to the north. The IMD has forecast cold wave conditions over Telangana, North Interior Karnataka, and West Madhya Pradesh on December 17 and 18, with temperatures likely to remain below normal. In a contrasting weather pattern, parts of South India, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, are predicted to experience isolated thunderstorms and lightning between December 16 and 18. Furthermore, the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are also likely to see thick fog from December 17 through 20.
IMD Advisory Urges Caution and Planning
In light of the widespread and severe weather conditions, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a strong advisory for residents and travellers across multiple states. The key recommendation is for people to consistently monitor local weather updates and plan their travel meticulously, keeping in mind the risks associated with dense fog and low visibility. The advisory underscores the need for preparedness as winter tightens its grip on the subcontinent, affecting millions from the high Himalayas to the southern peninsula.
