What’s the weather today: IMD warns of dense fog, cold waves as western disturbance brings rain and snow to north India

A new spell of winter weather is expected to affect vast areas of India from January 17 to January 22, 2026, with the latest weather bulletin from the India Meteorological Department predicting a combination of light rainfall/snowfall in the Western Himalayan region, dense to very dense fog in the North Indian Plains, and isolated cold wave/ cold day conditions in various states. Although a spell of dry weather is likely to cover the entire country, there are appreciable regional discrepancies that may affect transport, health, agriculture, and even daily activities.As predicted in the forecast released on January 16, light to moderate rainfall/snow is expected at isolated to scattered places over the western Himalayan region, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand between January 17 and 22. This is what can normally be expected during the winter season, and this may continue intermittently throughout the forecast period. According to the report, the isolated rains are predicted over Punjab on January 18, 19, and 22. Haryana and Chandigarh are likely to experience isolated rains on January 19 and 22. Moreover, western Uttar Pradesh can see isolated rains on January 22. However, the rains are expected to be light and may occur along with the prevailing fog and cold weather.Western Disturbances are known to cause cloudiness, precipitation, and temperature variations in north India during the winters. This disturbance can result in fresh instances of rain/snow in the hills and light rains in certain parts of the plains.Meteorologists have also indicated that conditions are becoming favourable for the cessation of northeast monsoon rainfall over southern India. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe, and adjoining areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and south interior Karnataka are likely to see a significant reduction in rainfall activity during January 17 and 18, marking a seasonal transition toward drier winter conditions in these regions.After several days of cold conditions, minimum temperatures are expected to show a gradual rise in many parts of the country. Over northwest and central India, minimum temperatures are likely to rise by 2–4 degrees Celsius during January 17–19, followed by no significant change between January 20 and 23. East India is expected to see no significant change in minimum temperatures during January 17 and 18. However, a gradual rise of 2–4 degrees Celsius is likely during January 19–21, with temperatures stabilising thereafter.In Maharashtra, minimum temperatures may increase gradually by 2–3 degrees Celsius during January 18–20, before remaining largely unchanged through January 21–23. Gujarat is expected to experience a similar gradual rise of 2–3 degrees Celsius within the next 24 hours, including January 17, with no significant changes anticipated during the subsequent days.For the rest of the country, no major changes in minimum temperatures are expected during the forecast period, suggesting relatively stable winter conditions outside the regions highlighted.Dense to very dense fog is likely to remain a major concern across northern and eastern India, particularly during morning and night hours. Uttarakhand is expected to experience dense to very dense fog till January 18, with dense fog persisting in isolated pockets until January 21.Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh are expected to experience dense to very dense fog in some parts until January 17, while dense fog will remain in isolated places until January 22. West Uttar Pradesh can experience dense to very dense fog conditions in many or some parts until January 19, while East Uttar Pradesh will observe dense to very dense fog conditions until January 20, along with dense fog on January 21.Bihar will experience dense fog at isolated places between January 17 and 20. In the Eastern part of the country, Assam and Meghalaya will experience dense fog till January 18, and West Bengal and Sikkim will face the condition of dense fog till January 19.The continuation of dense fog may impact airport, highway, and rail transport, resulting in delays and cancellations, apart from making travel through the highway difficult. Visibility can be a cause for traffic accidents, especially early morning ones, apart from posing difficulties to the power distribution sector, where possibilities of tripping may occur.Cold day conditions are likely in isolated pockets over Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh on January 17, and over East Uttar Pradesh on January 17 and 18. Cold wave conditions are also expected to persist in isolated pockets across several states. On January 17, cold wave conditions are very likely over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, western Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh may continue to experience cold wave conditions on January 17 and 18.