New Delhi, India — January 6, 2026
A severe cold wave continues to grip large parts of North and Eastern India, as plunging temperatures, snowfall in the hills, dense fog, and icy winds intensify winter conditions across the region. There is no immediate relief in sight, according to weather officials.
In the higher reaches of the western Himalayan region, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, rainfall and fresh snowfall have been reported. Sub-zero temperatures have caused rivers, streams, and water sources to freeze in several areas. Snow-laden winds from the mountains, combined with fog and falling temperatures, have sharply increased cold stress in the plains, with shivering conditions persisting even during daytime hours.
Delhi-NCR Faces Icy Winds and Dense Fog
The national capital is experiencing the dual impact of biting cold winds and rising pollution levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast strong cold winds over the next three days, with moderate fog likely during morning hours, posing challenges for commuters.
Between January 5 and January 8, temperatures in parts of Delhi are expected to remain low. On Monday, cold and damp winds persisted throughout the day, while cloud cover limited sunshine. Brief afternoon sunlight failed to provide relief as icy winds continued to dominate.
Temperature Drops Across the Capital
On Monday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 18.5°C, around 2°C below normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 6.6°C, slightly below average. Humidity levels ranged from 71% to 100%, adding to discomfort.
Minimum temperatures recorded at key locations included:
Ridge: 8.4°C
Aya Nagar: 6.6°C
Lodhi Road: 7.2°C
Palam: 7.0°C
For Tuesday, the IMD expects clear skies during the day, with light haze in some areas during the morning. Minimum temperatures are forecast between 6°C and 8°C, while maximum temperatures may range from 18°C to 20°C.
Weather Outlook: January 6 to 11
The IMD has predicted clear skies over Delhi on January 6, 7, and 8, with chances of sunshine during the day. However, light to moderate fog is likely in the mornings.
Cold winds may blow at speeds of 15–20 km/h during afternoons on January 6 and 7, before easing slightly. On January 8, wind speeds are expected to range between 10–15 km/h, accompanied by fog. From January 9 to 11, partly cloudy conditions may develop in isolated areas.
Air Quality Remains Poor
Delhi’s air quality remained in the “poor” category on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 244, a drop of 63 points compared to Sunday.
Across the NCR:
Ghaziabad: AQI 262 (poor)
Noida: AQI 260 (poor)
Greater Noida: AQI 236 (poor)
Gurugram: AQI 240 (poor)
Faridabad: AQI 185 (satisfactory)
According to Delhi’s Decision Support System for air quality management, vehicle emissions accounted for 13.71% of pollution, followed by industrial sources (11.48%), residential emissions (3.38%), construction activity (1.79%), and waste burning (1.22%).
Temperatures Plunge Across Northern Plains
Cold conditions intensified across several northern states:
Bathinda, Faridkot (Punjab): 4.5°C
Narnaul (Haryana): 3.0°C
Vanasthali (Rajasthan): 4.1°C
Lohardaga (Jharkhand): 3.4°C
A yellow alert for dense fog has been issued for multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Extreme Cold in Hill States
In north Kashmir’s Gulmarg (Baramulla district), temperatures dropped to –8.8°C following snowfall. Similar conditions prevailed in Himachal Pradesh, where Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti recorded a night temperature of –10.2°C. Snowfall was reported near Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel, while Kalpa, Kukumsari, and Narkanda saw temperatures below freezing.
In Uttarakhand, higher-altitude regions including Kedarnath and Badrinath remain blanketed in snow, with temperatures hovering up to 3°C below zero.
