Updated: January 2, 2026

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued forecasts indicating that cold wave conditions are likely to persist in Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Punjab until January 6, 2026, accompanied by dense to very dense fog in several areas, particularly during the morning hours. At the same time, Rajasthan is under an orange alert for dense fog, while Kashmir continues to experience fresh snowfall in higher reaches of the valley.

Cold Wave in Delhi-NCR

Residents of Delhi and surrounding regions in Haryana and Punjab are advised to brace for low temperatures and chilly winds over the next few days. According to the IMD, maximum temperatures in Delhi are expected to hover between 16–18°C, while minimum temperatures may drop to 8–10°C.

IMD scientist Naresh Kumar explained that the cold conditions are influenced by an active western disturbance over north Pakistan, which has caused light to moderate rainfall and snowfall in the western Himalayan region and very light rainfall in the Delhi-NCR area.

Due to the cold wave and fog, air quality in Delhi remains in the ‘very poor’ category, with the AQI recorded at 302 at 8 am on Friday, posing health risks for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions.

Dense Fog and Orange Alerts in Rajasthan

Rajasthan has been experiencing light rainfall over the past 24 hours in areas including Ajmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Bharatpur, with Shri Dungargarh in Bikaner recording the highest precipitation of 26 mm. The IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts for the state due to the likelihood of dense to very dense fog over the next 2–3 days, which could reduce visibility to below 100 meters, impacting road, rail, and air travel.

• Orange alert: Jaipur, Bikaner, Sikar, Alwar, Bharatpur
• Yellow alert: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Bundi

Temperatures are expected to drop by 3–4°C between January 4 and 6, intensifying the chill in the region.

Snowfall and Weather in Kashmir

While northern plains experience cold waves, Kashmir welcomed fresh snowfall in popular tourist resorts and higher-altitude regions, including Tulail Valley (Gurez), Razdan Top (Bandipora), and Sadhna Top (Kupwara). Despite the snow, the valley is experiencing an unusually warm winter, with temperatures 1.2 to 6.3°C above the seasonal average, mainly due to cloud cover preventing heat loss at night.

Weather in Mumbai and Western India

Mumbai witnessed early morning showers on January 1, starting around 5 am, caused by the western disturbance moving across northern India. For January 2, IMD forecasts partly cloudy conditions in the South Konkan-Goa, South Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada regions, while North Konkan and North Madhya Maharashtra are likely to see sunny weather.

Broader IMD Forecast

Looking at the seasonal outlook for early 2026, the IMD has predicted:

• Southern and central India: Expected to receive good rainfall from January to March.
• Northwest India (Punjab, Haryana): Likely to experience below-normal showers, continuing the dry and cold trend.
• Northeast India, parts of Bihar and Vidarbha: Could see one to three additional cold days.

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, emphasized that the ongoing cold wave in the north and fog conditions in Rajasthan require public caution, especially for commuters and the elderly. Authorities have advised drivers to exercise extra care on foggy roads and urged citizens to take precautions against cold-related illnesses.

Key Advisory

• For Delhi-NCR and Punjab/Haryana: Cover exposed body parts, avoid prolonged outdoor exposure during early morning hours, and monitor AQI levels.
• For Rajasthan: Drive with caution in low visibility, keep headlights on, and expect delays in transport services.
• For Kashmir: Continue monitoring weather advisories for higher-altitude snowfall areas, particularly for tourists.

The next few days are expected to be cold and challenging across northern India, with dense fog and low visibility affecting travel, while southern and central regions will see relatively moderate winter weather with chances of rain.

This marks a continuation of seasonal winter extremes, highlighting the impact of western disturbances on northern India, and serves as a reminder for authorities and residents alike to remain alert for sudden weather changes.