What’s the weather today: IMD forecasts widespread rain and snow in western Himalayas, cold wave in plains

A fresh spell of active winter weather is set to affect large parts of north, northwest and central India from January 27 onwards, as per the India Meteorological Department’s forecasts and warnings in its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin released on the night of January 26. The bulletin points to a combination of widespread rainfall and snowfall in the western Himalayan region, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds across several plains, dense fog in pockets, cold wave and cold day conditions in northern states, and squally winds over adjoining seas. Another western disturbance is also expected to approach northwest India from the night of January 30, indicating that unsettled weather may continue into the end of the month.According to the IMD bulletin, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is very likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on January 27, with activity continuing over Uttarakhand on January 28. Isolated heavy rainfall or snowfall is forecast at a few places in these three hill states on January 27, raising the possibility of difficult travel conditions in higher reaches, temporary road closures and disruption to air and rail services in mountain regions.The impact of the weather system will extend beyond the hills. Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph and gusting up to 60 kmph, is expected over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on January 27. Similar stormy conditions with slightly lower wind speeds are likely over West Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on January 27, and over East Uttar Pradesh on both January 27 and 28. Isolated light rainfall with lightning is forecast over Madhya Pradesh on January 27 and 28, while Chhattisgarh may receive isolated showers on January 28. The IMD has also warned of isolated hailstorms over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, west Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on January 27. Such events, though localised, can cause sudden damage to standing crops, fruit orchards and temporary structures.On January 27, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are expected over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh may experience gusty winds of 30–40 kmph. Lightning activity is also forecast over Madhya Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Marathwada on January 27. Cold wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab, while cold day conditions may prevail in parts of Himachal Pradesh.The weather outlook for the subsequent three days, from January 29 to 31, indicates isolated to scattered rainfall or snowfall over the western Himalayan region and isolated to scattered rainfall over Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. The approach of another western disturbance from the night of January 30 suggests that fresh precipitation and cloudiness may develop over northwest India towards the month’s end.The IMD has forecast noticeable fluctuations in minimum temperatures across several regions. Over northwest India, minimum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 3–5 degrees Celsius up to January 27, followed by a gradual fall of 3–5 degrees Celsius during January 28 and 29, and then another rise of 3–5 degrees Celsius from January 30 to February 1.Central India is likely to see no significant change up to the morning of January 27, followed by a gradual fall of 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next two to three days, and then a rise of 2–4 degrees Celsius from January 30 onwards. Maharashtra may experience a brief fall of 2–4 degrees Celsius around January 27, followed by a gradual rise. Gujarat is expected to see a brief rise, then a fall of 3–5 degrees Celsius on January 27, and a gradual warming trend thereafter. No major temperature changes are expected over the rest of the country.Dense fog during morning and night hours is expected in isolated pockets over Uttarakhand till January 27, Himachal Pradesh from January 28 to 31, Uttar Pradesh on January 27, 29 and 30, Rajasthan from January 28 to 30, and Bihar from January 29 to 31. Such fog conditions can severely reduce visibility, affecting road, rail and air transport.Cold wave conditions are likely in isolated pockets over Himachal Pradesh from January 29 to 31, and over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh from January 28 to 31. Cold day conditions are very likely in parts of Himachal Pradesh on January 27, indicating persistently low daytime temperatures.The IMD has outlined several possible impacts of the expected weather. Dense and very dense fog can disrupt airport operations, slow down highway traffic and delay train services. Poor visibility can make driving hazardous. As precautionary measures, the IMD has advised people to drive carefully using fog lights, check travel schedules in advance, and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during foggy conditions. Authorities and residents across northern and central India are advised to stay alert to updated forecasts and warnings from the IMD, as the evolving winter weather pattern is likely to bring rapidly changing conditions over the next several days.