What’s the weather today: Will it rain in Delhi? Here’s what IMD predicts for Delhi and other north Indian states

According to the latest forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (Regional -Delhi) at 08:35 PM on January 20, Delhi is expected to see mostly cloudy skies, dense morning fog, and a brief spell of light rain and thunderstorms over the next few days. But will it rain today, on January 21?

For the next two days, January 21 and 22, the national capital will largely remain dry. Skies will be partly cloudy on January 21, with shallow to moderate fog likely during the morning hours. Visibility may be reduced in several parts of the city, affecting road and air traffic during early hours. No rainfall is expected on this day. On January 22, cloud cover is expected to increase gradually. The sky is expected to remain partly cloudy in the morning and become generally cloudy by afternoon and evening. Fog will continue in the morning hours. Despite increasing cloudiness, there is no rain forecast for January 22 as well.

Rain likely on January 23

The only day when Delhi is expected to receive rainfall during this forecast period is Thursday, January 23. According to IMD, the city will witness a generally cloudy sky with very light to light rain, accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds. Wind speeds may reach 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, which could cause brief disruptions such as falling branches, dust, and temporary traffic slowdowns.

This rain spell is expected to be short-lived and light in intensity, not a heavy or continuous downpour. All districts of Delhi, including North, South, East, West and NCR regions, are likely to experience similar conditions on January 23. Morning fog will still be present before the rain activity begins later in the day.

On January 24, rain is expected to stop, but Delhi will remain under a generally cloudy sky. IMD has forecast strong surface winds reaching 20 to 30 kmph, which may make the day feel colder. Morning fog will continue to affect visibility, but no rainfall is expected on this day. From January 25 onwards, the weather will stabilise further. Skies will turn partly cloudy again, and fog will persist during early mornings. Both January 25 and January 26 are expected to remain dry, with no rain predicted.

Minimum temperatures in Delhi are expected to remain stable between 6 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius till January 22. After the rain on January 23, temperatures may dip slightly before beginning a gradual rise. Maximum temperatures will hover between 19 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius during the week.

IMD predictions for the rest of the country

A fresh spell of unsettled weather is set to affect large parts of north, northwest and Himalayan India from January 21 onwards, according to the latest All India Weather Forecast. The system is expected to bring rain and snowfall to the Western Himalayan region, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several northern states, along with dense fog, cold wave conditions and ground frost in isolated pockets.

The impact will be most pronounced across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and adjoining plains, with widespread precipitation activity forecast between January 22 and January 26.

Rain and snowfall to intensify over the western Himalayas

The forecast indicates that on January 21, isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall and snowfall is likely over Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. From January 22 to January 26, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and snowfall is predicted across the Western Himalayan region. The Kashmir Valley is likely to witness isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall on January 22 and 23, while the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may receive heavy snowfall on January 23.

In the adjoining plains, light to moderate rainfall is expected over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and western Uttar Pradesh between January 22 and 24. Eastern Uttar Pradesh is likely to receive rain on January 23 and 24, while Rajasthan may see rainfall on January 22 and 23.

Thunderstorms and gusty winds to affect large swathes of north India

Along with rain and snow, widespread thunderstorm activity is also forecast across several regions. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds ranging between 30 and 50 kmph are likely over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on January 22 and 23. Uttarakhand may experience similar activity from January 23 to January 26.

The forecast also warns of thunderstorms over the plains, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, as well as western Rajasthan on January 22 and 23. Western Uttar Pradesh and eastern Rajasthan are likely to witness thunderstorm activity on January 23, while eastern Uttar Pradesh may see thunderstorms on January 23 and 24.

In southern India, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on January 24.

Dense fog, cold wave and cold day conditions likely

Apart from precipitation, winter weather hazards are also expected to persist. Dense fog conditions are likely during morning and night hours in isolated pockets over Haryana and Chandigarh till January 22. The forecast warns that visibility may be severely reduced during these hours, potentially disrupting road, rail and air transport.

Cold wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh on January 21, while cold day conditions, when daytime temperatures remain unusually low, are expected in parts of the state on January 23. The forecast also includes a ground frost warning for Uttarakhand on January 21.

Impacts and advisory

The forecast warns that dense fog till January 22 may affect airports, highways and railway operations, leading to delays and difficult driving conditions. Reduced visibility may also increase the risk of accidents.

People have been advised to drive carefully using fog lights, check travel schedules before heading out, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure in the early morning and night hours, and take precautions to protect themselves from cold weather.