What’s the weather today: Cold wave, dense fog and fresh western disturbance to dominate these north Indian states

Large parts of northern and central India are set to witness a prolonged spell of cold wave conditions, dense fog and intermittent thunderstorms, as per the latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The bulletin warns of continued weather disruptions across the northern plains, western Himalayan region and parts of eastern and central India, with a fresh western disturbance expected to intensify activity towards the end of the month.According to the IMD, the weather pattern from January 28 to early February will be shaped by cold air incursions over northwest India, persistent fog formation during night and morning hours, and the arrival of a new western disturbance from the night of January 30, which is likely to trigger rainfall, snowfall and thunderstorms across the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains.On January 28, unstable weather conditions are expected to affect several regions. The IMD has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorm activity at isolated places over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. Uttarakhand is likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour.Over the Gangetic plains, Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh are expected to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. Parts of Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh may see thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, although wind intensity is expected to remain moderate. Cold wave conditions are likely to persist over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, with temperatures remaining well below seasonal averages in isolated pockets. The cold stress is expected to be compounded by dense fog during night and early morning hours.Dense fog warnings have been issued for Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Visibility in these areas may drop sharply, particularly during late night and early morning hours, posing risks to road, rail and air traffic.Over the southern seas, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour, is likely to prevail over the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area, prompting caution for fishermen and coastal operations.On January 29 and 30, cold wave conditions are expected to continue in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Minimum temperatures across these regions are likely to remain significantly below normal, prolonging the discomfort caused by biting cold.Dense fog conditions are forecast to expand further across the northern plains and adjoining regions. The IMD has warned of dense fog at isolated places over Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Prolonged foggy conditions may disrupt morning flight schedules, delay trains and increase the risk of road accidents along highways and urban corridors.Squally winds over the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin area are expected to continue, with speeds touching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 60 kilometres per hour.By January 31, weather activity is expected to shift slightly eastward. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are likely at isolated places over East Rajasthan. Cold wave conditions are expected to gradually weaken over parts of northwest India, although residual chill may persist in pockets. The IMD has indicated that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of January 30, with its impact becoming more pronounced on February 1 and 2. This system is expected to bring scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds over the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains.On February 1, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are likely at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Punjab. Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi may experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour.The IMD has forecast a gradual moderation in minimum temperatures after January 29. Following an initial dip across northwest and central India, minimum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius in many regions. This warming trend may bring some relief from the prolonged cold wave conditions, although night temperatures may continue to remain chilly in the northern plains and hill regions.The prolonged spell of cold wave and dense fog is expected to have significant implications for daily life across north India. Dense fog during morning and night hours may lead to delays and cancellations of flights, disruption of rail services and hazardous driving conditions on highways.The IMD has urged residents, travellers and authorities to remain vigilant, follow advisories closely and take necessary precautions during periods of dense fog, cold wave and storm activity as winter weather continues to assert its grip over large parts of the country.