The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stark warning of severe and persistent winter weather set to grip large parts of the country through the Christmas week. The latest bulletin from the National Weather Forecasting Centre, released on Saturday, paints a challenging picture for travel, agriculture, and daily life, with a triple threat of dense fog, biting cold waves, and fresh snowfall.
Western Himalayas Brace for Snowfall and Rain
The Western Himalayan region is poised to be the most active weather zone in the coming days. Influenced by western disturbances, the area is very likely to witness isolated rainfall and snowfall over the next four days. Meteorological analysis indicates sustained cloudiness, snowfall in the higher reaches, and occasional rainfall in the lower Himalayan areas.
This unsettled weather raises significant concerns about road connectivity, particularly along critical mountain passes and high-altitude highways. Furthermore, isolated rainfall is also forecast for Punjab between December 20 and 22, which could compound the existing issues of cold and reduced visibility in the state.
Dense Fog to Envelop Northern Plains, Disrupting Travel
One of the most pressing hazards highlighted by the IMD is the persistence of dense to very dense fog across north India's plains. For several consecutive days, night and early morning hours will see severely reduced visibility over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
The situation is expected to peak on December 20 and 21, with intense fog, especially in East Uttar Pradesh. The IMD warns that fog is likely to remain a recurring feature until at least December 26, directly impacting Christmas week travel across major road, rail, and air corridors. Shallow to moderate fog is also expected in parts of Northeast India, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, extending disruptions beyond the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Cold Wave Conditions Grip South and Central India
While the north deals with fog, southern and central India are experiencing unusually cold conditions. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Telangana, South Interior Karnataka, and North Interior Karnataka on December 20 and 21. West Madhya Pradesh is also on alert for cold wave conditions on December 20.
Data from December 19 shows minimum temperatures were markedly below normal across wide swathes. North Interior Karnataka saw some of the largest drops, with temperatures falling more than 5 degrees Celsius below normal. The lowest minimum temperature on the plains was recorded at Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, where the mercury plunged to 4.0 degrees Celsius.
The IMD forecasts a brief, slight rise in night temperatures over northwest India in the next two days, but this will be followed by a fall of 2–4 degrees Celsius in the subsequent five days. Most other regions, including Maharashtra, central India, and the Northeast, will see largely unchanged cold conditions.
Advisories and Broader Impacts
The IMD has issued crucial advisories in light of these forecasts. Citizens in regions under cold wave warnings are urged to take precautions against exposure. Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution due to reduced visibility, and farmers in frost-prone areas are recommended to take protective measures for standing crops.
Adding to the complex weather pattern, a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea has shifted eastwards to lie over the Gulf of Mannar, contributing to unsettled conditions over southern coastal waters and parts of Tamil Nadu. As the country heads into the holiday season, this widespread and severe winter weather is set to be the dominant factor affecting life and logistics across multiple states.
