New Delhi, Jan 08, 2026 – Northern India is bracing for continued cold wave conditions as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast frigid temperatures and dense fog across several states until January 10. The persistent cold is expected to affect Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, prompting weather alerts, school closures, and disruptions in road traffic.

Delhi: Dense Fog and Cold Day Conditions

In the national capital, residents woke up to a cold morning with dense fog, and icy northwesterly winds pushing the minimum temperature down to around 7°C, according to IMD predictions. The maximum temperature is likely to remain between 15 and 17°C, slightly below seasonal averages.

Delhi has already experienced cold day conditions twice this month, with a maximum temperature of 16.7°C recorded on Wednesday, 2.3°C below the seasonal norm. Cold day conditions are officially declared when the maximum temperature falls 4.5°C to 6.4°C below normal, while severe cold days occur when temperatures dip even further.

The IMD has also warned that dense to very dense fog is likely in the morning hours, particularly over the northern plains, and may persist in isolated pockets until January 14, causing potential visibility issues on roads and at airports.

Punjab and Haryana: Alerts and School Closures

The cold wave has prompted the issuance of orange and yellow alerts across Punjab and Haryana. In Punjab, districts including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Kapurthala are under an orange alert, while other districts have been placed under a yellow alert. As a precaution, the Punjab government extended winter holidays in schools till January 13.

Similarly, Haryana has issued a mix of yellow and orange alerts, with Karnal, Ambala, Panipat, and Sonipat under orange alert conditions. Authorities have urged residents to take precautions against the cold, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

Other northern states have also taken preventive measures. For instance, Rajasthan districts extended winter breaks, and in Uttar Pradesh, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district ordered schools up to class 8 to remain closed until January 10.

Himachal Pradesh: Fresh Snowfall and Cold Wave Alerts

Tourists and locals in Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh snowfall in picturesque regions such as Kullu, delighting visitors but also creating challenges for travel and transport. The IMD issued yellow alerts for cold wave conditions in districts including Kangra, Bilaspur, Solan, and Chamba.

Authorities have warned that isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh may continue to experience cold wave conditions, and travelers are advised to monitor local weather updates and exercise caution on mountain roads.

Jammu & Kashmir: Snowfall Disrupts Traffic

In Jammu and Kashmir, snowfall in Poonch district has disrupted traffic operations, particularly along key routes like the Mughal Road. Snow clearance operations are underway to restore connectivity. Continuous snowfall since December 31 has also suspended traffic on the Shopian-Poonch axis, including the Poonch-Kashmir route via Shopian, leaving several areas temporarily inaccessible.

Broader Impacts and Safety Measures

The ongoing cold wave is expected to intensify in the coming days, with northern India remaining under yellow and orange alerts until at least January 10. Residents are advised to:

• Avoid traveling during dense fog and early morning hours.
• Cover exposed body parts and wear layers, mufflers, and gloves to prevent frostbite.
• Take extra precautions for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory illnesses.
• Monitor local weather advisories and heed traffic warnings due to snow or fog-related hazards.

The IMD has emphasized that the cold spell is driven by persistent northwesterly winds, which are maintaining low temperatures across the northern plains, coupled with upper-level fog preventing daytime warming. While the mercury may slightly rise in some areas, experts warn that single-digit temperatures are expected in parts of Punjab, Haryana, northwest Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh, with no significant relief in sight until mid-January.

Residents and travelers across northern India are therefore urged to remain cautious, particularly in snow-prone mountainous regions, and prepare for continued cold and foggy conditions until the weather begins to moderate after January 10.