As large parts of North India continue to grapple with severe air pollution, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has offered a hopeful prediction for the coming days. Major metropolitan hubs across the country, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Shimla, and Kolkata, are set to experience a spell of cool, dry weather. However, this winter relief will be accompanied by early morning fog, impacting visibility in several regions.
Northern India Braces for Dense Fog and Chilly Mornings
Winter has firmly established itself in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), marked by foggy mornings and a distinct chill in the air. According to the official IMD forecast for December 16, the capital will witness clear skies. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 22–24 °C, while the minimum will hover between 8–10 °C. Isolated areas are likely to experience foggy conditions in the morning.
The weather office has issued a warning for dense to very dense fog in several northern states. Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana are predicted to have significantly reduced visibility on December 16. Temperatures in these regions will remain around 20–21°C during the day, dipping to 9–10°C at night.
The IMD's latest bulletin stated, "Dense fog conditions very likely to prevail during early hours/morning hours in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana Chandigarh & Delhi on 16th & 17th, Himachal Pradesh during 16th-18th and Northeast India during 16th-20th December."
The fog has already begun disrupting daily life. Visibility at Delhi's Safdarjung and Palam airports plummeted to around 50 metres recently, leading to the cancellation of several flights. The situation was even more severe in parts of Uttar Pradesh. In Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, visibility dropped to a mere 20 metres. Cities like Aligarh, Bareilly, Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Etawah recorded visibility ranging between 25 and 150 metres.
Coastal and Southern Cities: Comfortable Weather with Minimal Rain
Moving to the western coast, Mumbai is set for predominantly dry conditions with daytime temperatures in the mid-20s °C. Comfortable sea breezes will prevail, and while isolated showers are possible in coastal areas mid-December, no significant rainfall is predicted for the city in the immediate forecast.
In the east, Kolkata can expect cooler days with minimal rainfall, offering perfect weather to explore the city's festive markets and parks. Meanwhile, down south, Chennai will enjoy warm, comfortable days and cooler nights, with temperatures in the 20–22 °C range. However, the city is predicted to receive a slight sprinkle of 0.3 to 1.3 mm of rain today.
Perfect Weather for Exploring Garden City and Hyderabad's Heritage
Bengaluru's weather on December 16 remains travel-friendly. While early morning fog might occasionally reduce visibility, daytime conditions are expected to be clear, making it ideal for visiting the city's famed gardens. Similarly, Hyderabad is bracing for chilly mornings where nighttime temperatures could drop below 10 °C in some areas. The clear daytime skies, however, will provide pleasant conditions for sightseeing at historical landmarks like Charminar and Golconda Fort.
Overall, the IMD's forecast paints a picture of a classic Indian winter setting in across the subcontinent—characterized by cool, dry days, chilly nights, and the seasonal challenge of morning fog, particularly in the northern plains.
