A significant shift in weather patterns is set to bring challenging conditions to different parts of India starting Tuesday, January 9, 2026. According to the All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued on January 8, northern regions will grapple with intense cold and fog, while the southern peninsula prepares for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
North India Shivers Under Cold Wave and Dense Fog
Cold wave conditions are expected to prevail at isolated places across north and northwest India from January 9. The affected areas include Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh. The IMD has also warned of cold day conditions on Tuesday in isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, and eastern Madhya Pradesh, meaning daytime temperatures will remain unusually low.
Minimum temperatures across the plains of northwest India, including the national capital Delhi, are likely to stay largely unchanged over the next seven days, indicating a prolonged spell of chilly weather. Adding to the woes, ground frost is likely at isolated locations in Uttarakhand on January 9 and 10, posing risks to crops and early-morning travel in the hills.
The major concern for commuters remains reduced visibility due to fog. On January 9, dense fog is likely in isolated pockets across a wide swath including Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and several northeastern states. East Rajasthan is expected to experience dense to very dense fog, severely impacting road and air travel.
The fog situation is predicted to persist on January 10 for Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast. While a slight decrease is expected from January 11, dense fog may still occur at isolated points in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.
Southern States Brace for Heavy Rain and Storms
In stark contrast, southern India is gearing up for active rainfall. On January 9 and 10, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. These downpours will be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, raising the threat of localized flooding and waterlogging, especially in urban low-lying areas.
Kerala and Mahe are also expected to receive heavy rains on January 10. Thunderstorm activity is forecast to continue over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on January 10 and 11. While isolated rainfall may continue over southern regions in the following days, the intensity is likely to gradually weaken.
The weather bulletin highlights hazardous conditions over the seas. Until the evening of January 9, squally winds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, are expected over the southwest Bay of Bengal, the Sri Lanka coast, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin area. Though wind speeds may reduce by January 10, rough to very rough sea conditions are likely to continue along and off the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.
Advisories and Preparedness Measures
Authorities have issued multiple advisories in response to the diverse weather threats. Residents in fog-affected areas are urged to exercise extreme caution during early morning and late-night hours. In the southern states, local administrations have been asked to stay vigilant about waterlogging, lightning strikes, and coastal hazards.
The coming days will test the preparedness of various regions as they contend with simultaneous yet contrasting weather extremes—bitter cold and fog in the north, and torrential rain and gusty winds in the south. Commuters, farmers, and coastal communities are advised to stay updated with the latest IMD warnings and plan their activities accordingly.
