Travelling in early January? Cold wave and low visibility likely across popular North Indian routes

As per the latest All India Weather Forecast Bulletin issued on January 3, 2026, at 07:51 pm, India is expected to see the intensity of the winter continue from January 4, 2026 onwards, with cold wave conditions, dense to very dense fog, and chance of rainfall or snow in various areas. This prediction is valid until January 9.Cold wave conditions are expected to remain a dominant feature across parts of northwest India during the coming days. On January 4, cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Cold day conditions are also very likely in the regions of Bihar as well as Uttarakhand. This is an indication that the temperatures will remain low.Similar conditions are forecast to continue on January 5, with cold wave conditions very likely again over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Bihar is expected to experience cold day conditions at isolated places on the same day. By January 6, cold wave conditions are likely to persist at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan, before easing slightly in most areas. On January 7, cold wave conditions are expected mainly over isolated pockets of Rajasthan. However, the outlook suggests that cold wave conditions could continue in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi till January 7, over West Rajasthan from January 5 to 8, and over East Rajasthan from January 4 to 8.Dense fog is still one of the major concerns in North, East, and Central India during morning and night periods. On January 4, dense fog is very likely to occur at isolated places in the following states: Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal & Sikkim.Thick to very thick fog will be likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Odisha, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh on the same day. It may affect road, rail, and air transportation.Fog conditions are expected to continue on January 5, with dense fog forecast at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and west Uttar Pradesh. Dense to very dense fog is very likely over east Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Odisha, and Punjab.There are chances of fog on the 6th in isolated areas in the Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and West Uttar Pradesh states, while there are chances of dense to very dense fog in the East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab states.As per the bulletin, the fog conditions will extend beyond January 7. Dense fog will be present on January 6 to 10 in the following regions: Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh. There would be chances of dense fog on the 9th to 10th of January in East Uttar Pradesh. Bihar will face similar conditions up to the 9th. Odisha will see the effect of dense fog on the 7th to 8th of January. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will experience fog conditions up to the 8th.The Western Himalayan region is expected to experience light rainfall during the period of the forecast. Isolated rainfall or snowfall is likely over the region, and extending to Himachal Pradesh on January 6 as well. No widespread precipitation is indicated, but these weather events could contribute to colder conditions in adjoining plains.Looking ahead, scattered to fairly widespread rainfall activity is likely over Tamil Nadu and the Nicobar Islands during January 8 to 10.