NEW DELHI, January 12, 2026
Delhi-NCR woke up to biting cold on Monday, with minimum temperatures falling to 3-4°C in many areas and dipping below 5°C in some places, accompanied by dense fog and icy northern winds.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the cold wave to intensify further, with temperatures potentially dropping to 2°C in isolated areas. Alerts have been issued for severe cold conditions across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and other northern states, warning of impacts on daily life.
Dense to very dense fog warnings are in effect for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, reducing visibility and posing risks to road travel and power infrastructure. The cold wave, originating from northern winds, now extends as far as Gujarat’s Kutch region.
Weather agency predicts the intense cold may persist through the weekend, with brief relief possible around January 16-17 due to a western disturbance shifting wind patterns and reducing icy gusts. However, conditions could worsen again, with the season’s first significant rainfall in Delhi likely between January 18-21.
In contrast, parts of southern India, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, are experiencing relatively milder weather with cloudy skies limiting sunshine.
