As the winter season intensifies across northern India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple weather alerts warning citizens of dense fog, cold wave conditions, and unseasonal precipitation in various regions. The forecasts indicate that parts of North India, including the national capital Delhi, will experience dense to very dense fogover the next few days, accompanied by cold wave conditions across several states. Citizens have been advised to exercise caution, particularly during early morning and late-night hours when visibility is likely to be severely reduced.

Dense Fog Conditions in Northern India

The IMD has predicted that dense to very dense fog is expected to persist over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and western Uttar Pradesh till December 31, 2025. Eastern Uttar Pradesh may continue to experience reduced visibility until January 1, 2026, after which gradual improvement is expected. These conditions are characteristic of the winter season in the Indo-Gangetic plains, where calm winds, clear skies, and low temperatures combine to create thick fog during night and early morning hours.

In addition to the northern plains, isolated pockets of dense fog are forecast over east Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh till December 29, 2025. The northeastern states, including Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Odisha, are likely to witness similar fog conditions until January 1, 2026, according to the IMD. Such fog formation not only reduces visibility but also affects road, rail, and air transportation, causing delays and potential hazards.

Orange Alert for Delhi

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi on December 29, 2025, indicating dense fog with significant impact on transportation and daily activities. The maximum temperature in the city is expected to hover around 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum will settle near 7 degrees Celsius. Residents are advised to take precautions, including limiting night travel and using fog lights while driving, as visibility is expected to drop significantly during early morning hours.

The prolonged fog conditions are likely to affect not only traffic but also daily commuting and public transport schedules. Schools and offices may need to adjust timings in case of extremely poor visibility, and authorities have been urged to enhance monitoring on key highways and urban roads to prevent accidents.

Cold Wave and Cold Day Conditions

In addition to fog, several states in North and Central India are experiencing cold wave conditions, which are expected to persist in isolated pockets over the coming days. Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are forecast to have cold day conditionson December 28 and 29, while Bihar may experience similar conditions on December 28. Isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand are also expected to witness cold wave conditions during this period.

The western Himalayan region has already recorded minimum temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours, reflecting the severe cold spell in the mountains. In the plains, Hisar in Haryana recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 2.5 degrees Celsius, highlighting the intensity of winter in northwest India. The IMD has warned that minimum temperatures are unlikely to change significantly in the next 24 hours over northwest, central, and eastern India, though a gradual rise is expected in subsequent days.

Cold day conditions have been observed in Uttar Pradesh, while Uttarakhand and Bihar have also reported similar temperatures. Cold wave conditions continue in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, posing challenges for agriculture, daily life, and health. Citizens have been advised to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from cold, including wearing warm clothing and avoiding prolonged exposure to chilly winds, particularly during early morning hours.

Impact on Visibility and Transport

The dense fog has already significantly reduced visibility in several regions. Observations from the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on December 28 showed very dense fog in multiple parts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, with visibility dropping below 50 meters in several locations. Dense fog was also reported in isolated areas of Jammu division, west Madhya Pradesh, and Assam, while Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Odisha, Bihar, and the northeast experienced reduced visibility.

Several cities recorded extremely poor visibility, including Amritsar, Pathankot, Agra, Prayagraj, and Gwalior, where visibility at times dropped to near zero. In Delhi, the Safdarjung area reported visibility around 100 metersduring the morning hours, significantly affecting road traffic. Airports and rail services have been advised to anticipate delays, and travelers are urged to exercise caution.

Western Disturbance and Rainfall Forecast

Adding to the winter weather scenario, a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect the western Himalayan region from December 30, with its impact extending to the adjoining plains from December 31 onwards. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad between December 30 and January 2. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may also experience isolated rainfall or snowfall during the same period.

Light rainfall is expected in parts of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan between December 31 and January 1, which may temporarily improve air quality and reduce fog intensity. However, the combination of cold temperatures and precipitation could lead to icy patches on roads and highways, posing additional risks to commuters.

Thunderstorms Over Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Meanwhile, the IMD has also issued warnings for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are likely from December 28 to January 1. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected on December 28, and fishermen have been specifically advised not to venture into the South Andaman Seaon this day due to unfavorable sea conditions. These weather disturbances may disrupt marine activities and local transport services in the region.

Advisories for Citizens

The IMD has emphasized precautionary measures for the public to mitigate the impact of dense fog and cold wave conditions:

1. Travel Safety: Reduce speed while driving during foggy conditions and use fog lights. Avoid unnecessary night travel.
2. Health Precautions: Wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin to prevent cold-related illnesses. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, should take extra precautions.
3. Agriculture: Farmers are advised to protect crops sensitive to frost and cold winds, particularly in northern plains and hill states.
4. Fishermen: Avoid venturing into rough seas, especially near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, until weather conditions improve.
5. Public Transport: Authorities should enhance monitoring on key highways, airports, and railways to ensure safe travel during periods of low visibility.

Conclusion

In summary, northern and central India are set to experience dense fog, cold day conditions, and isolated cold wavesover the next few days, with Delhi under an orange alert on December 29. The western Himalayan region and adjoining plains are expected to see the effects of a fresh Western Disturbance starting December 30, bringing rainfall and snowfall to several areas. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and follow IMD advisories to minimize disruption to daily life.

With winter at its peak, the combination of low temperatures, dense fog, and precipitation poses challenges for transportation, health, and daily activities. While some areas may witness slight improvement in weather conditions after January 1, authorities and citizens alike must remain alert and take necessary precautions during this period of intense winter weather.