India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted varied weather conditions across the country this week, driven by active western disturbances and cyclonic circulations. Regions in northern and northeastern India are likely to witness rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms, while cold wave conditions and dense fog are expected to grip the northern plains and parts of central India. A significant drop in temperatures is also on the horizon, alongside smog and moderate fog in urban areas including Delhi/NCR. Here’s a detailed forecast for the days ahead.
Western Disturbance to Impact Weather
A western disturbance, currently observed as a cyclonic circulation over North Pakistan at 3.1 km above mean sea level, is expected to influence weather patterns across northern India. This system is accompanied by active moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea and will likely cause varied precipitation across regions:
Region |
Expected Weather |
Western Himalayan Region |
Isolated to fairly widespread light rainfall on January 7. |
Uttarakhand and NW Uttar Pradesh |
Isolated rainfall with thunderstorms and hailstorms on January 7. |
Northeastern States |
Light to moderate rainfall with isolated hailstorms over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam on January 7. |
Sikkim |
Isolated rainfall with thunderstorms and hailstorms on January 7. |
Additionally, a fresh western disturbance, expected between January 10-12, may bring light to moderate rainfall/snowfall over the Western Himalayan region and light rain over the northwest plains.
Temperature Forecast
Northern India is set to experience colder days, with temperatures expected to drop significantly over the next few days. Dense fog and cold wave conditions are likely in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, while rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in select regions.
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A drop of 3-5°C in minimum temperatures is likely over the Western Himalayan Region in the next three days, followed by a gradual rise.
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Central India will experience a 2-4°C fall in minimum temperatures over the next 24 hours.
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Northeast India is expected to witness a 3-4°C rise initially, followed by a 2-3°C drop.
Cold Wave Alerts:
Severe cold wave conditions are expected to grip parts of northern India, with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan set to face the brunt. Isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh are likely to experience severe cold days on January 7 and 8, while parts of Rajasthan are expected to see similar conditions on January 7.
Residents in these regions are advised to take necessary precautions, including wearing warm clothing and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold, to stay safe during this harsh weather phase.
Dense Fog Warnings:
Dense to very dense fog is anticipated during night and early morning hours in several regions:
Region |
Duration |
Uttar Pradesh |
January 7-9 |
Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh |
January 7-8 |
Odisha |
January 7 |
Bihar |
January 7 |
Weather Forecast for Delhi/NCR
Delhi and the National Capital Region are set to experience varying weather conditions over the next four days. While skies will alternate between cloudy and clear, the region is likely to witness very light rain, thunderstorms, and dense fog during early mornings and nights. Smog is expected to linger, affecting visibility, especially during evening and nighttime hours.
Date |
Weather Conditions |
January 7 |
Mainly clear skies. Dense fog at isolated places in the morning; moderate fog later. |
January 8 |
Clear skies. Dense fog likely in the morning; moderate fog during the evening. |
January 9 |
Clear skies. Moderate fog during the morning and evening hours. |
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, especially in regions experiencing cold wave and dense fog conditions.