The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant weather warning for residents of Gurgaon and several districts across Haryana. A yellow alert for dense fog and cold day or coldwave conditions is in effect and will remain until Monday, January 8. This comes as the region braces for a further dip in minimum temperatures over the coming days.
Fog Intensity and Temperature Forecast
According to the district-wise forecast issued by IMD Chandigarh on January 4, dense fog is likely at isolated locations across Haryana from January 4 to January 8. The situation is expected to be more severe on the first two days, with very dense fog predicted at a few places in the northern and central districts on January 4 and 5.
While shallow fog was observed on Sunday morning, the official minimum temperature for Gurgaon was not recorded at the city's IMD observatory. Data from the nearest station in Delhi's Ayanagar showed a minimum of 6.6°C, which is near normal for this season. Gurgaon's maximum temperature was recorded at 16.7°C, marking a slight increase of 1.1°C from the previous day.
Districts Under Alert and Current Conditions
The IMD's fog and cold wave alert covers a wide swath of Haryana. The following districts are specifically mentioned:
- Gurgaon
- Faridabad
- Rewari, Jhajjar, Nuh, Palwal
- Rohtak, Sonipat
- Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal
- Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar
Latest temperature data reveals that Mahendragarh was the coldest place in the state on January 4, recording a low of 3°C. Gurgaon's automatic weather station noted a minimum of 3.1°C, while Faridabad reported 5.4°C. Other readings included Sirsa at 6.6°C and Bhiwani at 6.5°C. On average, Haryana's minimum temperature fell by 0.9°C compared to Friday, yet it remained 1.9°C above the normal average.
Traffic Disruptions and Post-Alert Outlook
The IMD has warned that the intensity of fog will increase during the late night and early morning hours, leading to a sharp drop in visibility. This condition is likely to disrupt road and air traffic movement, urging commuters to exercise extreme caution.
Looking ahead, meteorologists attribute the falling temperatures to clear night skies and persistent north-westerly winds. Over the next 48 hours, these conditions could lead to a further drop of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Daytime temperatures in the National Capital Region (NCR) are expected to hover between 17°C and 19°C, while nights will be colder, ranging from 6°C to 8°C. The good news is that the fog is expected to ease gradually after the alert period ends on January 8.
