The weather across North and East India is set to change significantly over the next three to four days.
A strong western disturbance has become active in the mountainous regions from December 20, increasing the chances of rain, snowfall, fog, and cold conditions in many states.
According to the Meteorological Department, higher areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will remain cloudy on December 20, with rain and snowfall expected. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan,
and parts of Uttar Pradesh may see partly cloudy skies along with light rain on Saturday and Sunday. Dense fog will continue in these states, although there will not be much change in temperatures initially.
Once the clouds clear, icy winds are likely to lower minimum temperatures sharply, making the cold more intense.
Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand are expected to face severe fog, which may badly affect train and flight services.
South India will remain mostly unaffected by weather activity, but cold and fog are expected to increase in the northeastern states.
Uttar Pradesh: Cold Wave and Dense Fog
Uttar Pradesh is currently facing a severe cold wave along with dense fog. A new weather system is expected to affect western Uttar Pradesh from today, bringing cloud cover and light drizzle in some areas.
As per the IMD, cities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Hathras, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, and Muzaffarnagar will be more affected.
An orange alert for dense fog is in place in districts including Pilibhit, Rampur, Saharanpur, Shahjahanpur, Shamli, Agra, Aligarh, Baghpat, Bareilly, Bijnor, Bulandshahr, Etah, Etawah, Firozabad, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur.
Poor visibility due to fog is impacting train and flight operations. A cold wave alert has also been issued in several districts, including Lucknow.
Bihar: Strong Winds and Falling Temperatures
Bihar is expected to experience winds blowing at speeds of up to 30 km per hour over the next three days, which will increase the cold.
Dense fog is likely in many districts, including Patna, West and East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Samastipur, Siwan, Saran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Katihar, Munger, Jamui, Banka, Bhagalpur, Supaul, Purnia, Araria, and Kishanganj.
Minimum temperatures in many areas may fall below 10°C, increasing the chill. Road and rail traffic have already been affected by fog.
Over the next two days, the minimum temperature is expected to remain around 9°C, while the maximum may range between 25°C and 26°C.
Haryana and Delhi-NCR: Cloudy Skies and Fog
Weather conditions in most parts of Haryana are expected to remain unstable until December 24. From December 20, cloudy skies are likely for two days due to the western disturbance, with chances of light rain or drizzle at some places.
Daytime temperatures may rise slightly due to cloud cover, but mornings and evenings will remain very cold. Dense fog is expected across most parts of the state. Once the weather clears, cold winds will make conditions harsher.
Similar weather will continue in Delhi-NCR, though there is no strong chance of rain. Fog and pollution levels are expected to rise.
Punjab: Light Rain and Temperature Drop Ahead
Punjab will experience partly cloudy weather on Saturday and Sunday, with light rain at isolated locations. The IMD has warned that temperatures may drop sharply in the coming days, increasing the cold.
An orange alert for dense fog is active in areas such as Patiala, Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Adampur, and Gurdaspur. Fog is likely to reduce visibility, affecting trains and flight operations.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand: Rain, Snowfall, and Cold Winds
In Himachal Pradesh, weather activity is expected to continue for the next two days. Due to the western disturbance, rain and snowfall may occur in districts including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur on December 20 and 21. Fog will also be present in many areas.
After the weather clears, strong cold winds will intensify the cold. In Uttarakhand, weather conditions are also expected to worsen.
On December 22, mountainous regions may remain partly cloudy with snowfall and light drizzle. Dense fog from the hills to the plains will further increase the cold.
Jammu and Kashmir: Snowfall and Chillai Kalan Begins
Jammu and Kashmir is likely to see light snowfall in higher regions and rain in the plains on December 20 and 21. Heavy snowfall is possible in areas such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, and Bandipora.
Minimum temperatures are expected to be around -2°C in Srinagar, -2.5°C in Pahalgam, 2°C in Gulmarg, 3.4°C in Banihal, 2.2°C in Bhaderwah, 8.9°C in Katra, 6.4°C in Batote, and 9.6°C in Jammu city.
The 40-day intense winter period known as “Chillai Kalan” will begin on December 21 and continue until January 30, bringing severe cold and snowfall.
Rajasthan: Clouds, Fog, and Temperature Fluctuations
Due to a new western disturbance, parts of Rajasthan will remain cloudy until December 22. Light drizzle is also possible in some areas. Because of cloud cover, minimum temperatures may rise by one to two degrees Celsius.
Dense fog is expected in many regions, including the Bharatpur division, on December 20. From December 24, northerly winds may cause minimum temperatures to drop again by two to three degrees Celsius. Sikar continues to be one of the coldest places, with a temperature of 4°C.
Madhya Pradesh: Cold Wave and Fog Alert
Madhya Pradesh is facing severe cold conditions, with many districts experiencing both cold waves and dense fog. In areas such as Malwa-Nimar, Indore, and Ujjain divisions, minimum temperatures have dropped below 5°C.
Dense fog alerts have been issued in Bhopal, Gwalior, Chambal divisions, and districts including Morena, Bhind, Tikamgarh, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Raisen, Rewa, Satna, Maihar, Chhatarpur, and Datia.
Cold winds from the mountains may further reduce temperatures. Light cloud cover is expected on Saturday and Sunday due to partial western disturbance effects.
Jharkhand: Prolonged Fog and Cold Conditions
Jharkhand is likely to remain under dense fog for the next four days, severely affecting visibility. Cold wave and fog conditions will continue in areas such as Palamu, Deoghar, Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, and Dhanbad.
According to the Ranchi Meteorological Center, light southeasterly to easterly winds are blowing in the lower atmosphere. Dense fog is expected in most northern and some central districts until December 23.
Minimum temperatures are expected to be around 6.2°C in Ranchi, 6.7°C in Gumla, 7.5°C in Khunti, and 7.4°C in Lohardaga. No major change in minimum temperatures is expected over the next five days.
