What's today's weather: Cold wave, dense fog and heavy rainfall to grip these Indian states

Large parts of India are set to experience a spell of severe winter weather starting January 7, 2026, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a series of warnings for cold wave conditions, dense to very dense fog, ground frost, squally winds over surrounding seas, and heavy to very heavy rainfall over southern states. According to the IMD’s All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, the adverse conditions are expected to persist across different regions through at least January 12.

The forecast highlights a sharp contrast in weather patterns across the country, with northern and central India battling intense cold and low visibility, while southern states brace for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Coastal and marine regions, particularly around the Bay of Bengal and the Sri Lanka coast, are also expected to witness squally weather with strong winds during this period.

Cold wave and cold day conditions across north and central India

From January 7 onwards, cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated places across a wide swathe of north, central and eastern India. On January 7, cold wave conditions are expected over Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and Vidarbha. In addition, cold day conditions are very likely at isolated places over Bihar, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and parts of West Bengal and Sikkim.

The intensity of the cold is expected to continue into January 8, with cold wave conditions persisting over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Odisha, Punjab and Rajasthan. Cold day conditions are likely to affect parts of eastern Rajasthan and West Bengal and Sikkim during this period.

By January 9 and January 10, cold wave conditions are expected to remain over isolated parts of Rajasthan, indicating that western India may continue to face prolonged low temperatures. The IMD has indicated that while cold conditions may gradually taper off in some northern and central regions after this phase, isolated pockets could continue to experience harsh winter conditions until mid-January. Alongside cold wave conditions, the IMD has issued a warning for ground frost at isolated places over Uttarakhand.

Dense to very dense fog likely to disrupt daily life

One of the most persistent weather hazards during this period is dense to very dense fog, especially during night and early morning hours. Till January 8, dense fog is very likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and West Rajasthan.

On January 9 and January 10, dense fog conditions are expected to persist over Bihar, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The IMD has indicated that fog conditions may continue through January 11 and 12 over Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, posing challenges for road, rail and air travel.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over southern states

While northern India grapples with cold and fog, southern India is expected to witness intense rainfall activity beginning January 9. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on January 9, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

This spell of heavy rainfall is expected to continue on January 10, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, and heavy rainfall also likely over Kerala and Mahe. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are expected to continue over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during this period. On January 11, heavy rainfall is likely to persist at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, indicating an extended wet spell for the region.

Squally weather and strong winds over surrounding seas

Marine weather conditions are also expected to remain rough during this period. On January 7 and January 8, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35 kmph to 45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, is likely to prevail along and off the Sri Lanka coast, over many parts of the southwest Bay of Bengal, adjoining west-central and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar, and parts of the Comorin area.

On January 9, similar squally conditions are forecast along and off the Sri Lanka coast and along and off the Tamil Nadu coast, extending across large parts of the Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions. These conditions could pose risks to small and medium fishing vessels.

From January 10 onwards, however, the IMD has indicated that there is no fishermen warning, suggesting a gradual improvement in marine conditions after the peak of the squally weather phase.