IMD Issues Winter Weather Alert for Northern and Central India
The India Meteorological Department has released a comprehensive weather bulletin forecasting an active spell of winter weather that will impact extensive regions of north, northwest, and central India starting from January 27. According to the All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued on the night of January 26, multiple weather phenomena are expected to converge, creating challenging conditions across several states.
Widespread Rainfall and Snowfall in Western Himalayas
The IMD bulletin indicates that 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. This activity is expected to continue over Uttarakhand on January 28. Isolated heavy rainfall or snowfall is forecast at several locations in these three hill states on January 27, potentially leading to difficult travel conditions in higher altitudes, temporary road closures, and disruptions to air and rail services in mountainous regions.
Additionally, the IMD has warned of isolated hailstorms over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, west Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan on January 27. While these events may be localized, they can cause sudden damage to standing crops, fruit orchards, and temporary structures.
Stormy Conditions Extend to Plains
The impact of this weather system will not be confined to 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.
On January 27, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are anticipated over Haryana, Chandigarh, 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.
Isolated light rainfall with lightning is predicted over Madhya Pradesh on January 27 and 28, while Chhattisgarh may receive isolated showers on January 28.
Cold Wave and Fog Conditions Expected
The IMD has highlighted the likelihood of cold wave conditions in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab, while cold day conditions may prevail in parts of Himachal Pradesh. 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.
Temperature Fluctuations Across Regions
The IMD has forecast noticeable fluctuations in minimum temperatures across several regions:
- 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: 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: 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.
Another Western Disturbance Approaching
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. Another western disturbance is also expected to approach northwest India from the night of January 30, suggesting that unsettled weather may continue into the end of the month, with fresh precipitation and cloudiness likely developing over northwest India.
Advisory Measures and Potential Impacts
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:
- Drive carefully using fog lights
- Check travel schedules in advance
- 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.
