IMD Issues Severe Weather Alert for Northern and Central India
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released its latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin, indicating that large swathes of northern and central India are bracing for an extended period of challenging weather conditions. The forecast highlights a combination of cold waves, dense fog, and intermittent thunderstorms, which are expected to persist and intensify in the coming days.
Weather Patterns and Western Disturbance Influence
According to the IMD, the weather scenario from January 28 to early February will be dominated by several key factors. Cold air incursions over northwest India are set to maintain low temperatures, while persistent fog formation during night and morning hours will reduce visibility significantly. Adding to this, a fresh western disturbance is anticipated to arrive from the night of January 30, which is likely to enhance weather activity, triggering rainfall, snowfall, and thunderstorms across the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains.
Thunderstorms and Cold Wave Conditions on January 28
On January 28, unstable weather is predicted to affect multiple regions. The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorm activity at isolated places over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. In Uttarakhand, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are expected.
Over the Gangetic plains, Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh may experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. Parts of Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh could see thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, although wind intensity is projected to remain moderate in these areas.
Cold Wave and Dense Fog Warnings
Cold wave conditions are likely to continue over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, with temperatures staying well below seasonal averages in isolated pockets. The chilling effect will be exacerbated by dense fog during night and early morning hours.
Dense fog warnings have been issued for Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Visibility in these regions may drop sharply, particularly during late night and early morning periods, posing substantial risks to road, rail, and air traffic.
Over the southern seas, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour, is likely over the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area. This has prompted cautionary advisories for fishermen and coastal operations.
Extended Cold Wave and Fog Expansion on January 29-30
On January 29 and 30, cold wave conditions are expected to persist in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. Minimum temperatures across these areas are likely to remain significantly below normal, prolonging the discomfort caused by the biting cold.
Dense fog conditions are forecast to expand further across the northern plains and adjoining regions. The IMD has warned of dense fog at isolated places over Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Prolonged foggy conditions may disrupt morning flight schedules, delay trains, and increase the risk of road accidents along highways and urban corridors.
Squally winds over the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin area are expected to continue, with speeds touching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 60 kilometres per hour.
Weather Shift and Gradual Weakening by January 31
By January 31, weather activity is expected to shift slightly eastward. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are likely at isolated places over East Rajasthan. Cold wave conditions are anticipated to gradually weaken over parts of northwest India, although residual chill may persist in some pockets.
Fresh Western Disturbance to Trigger Rain and Snow
The IMD has indicated that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of January 30, with its impact becoming more pronounced on February 1 and 2. This system is expected to bring scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds over the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains.
On February 1, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are likely at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Punjab. Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi may experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour.
The IMD has forecast a gradual moderation in minimum temperatures after January 29. Following an initial dip across northwest and central India, minimum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius in many regions. This warming trend may bring some relief from the prolonged cold wave conditions, although night temperatures may continue to remain chilly in the northern plains and hill regions.
Impact on Travel and Daily Life
The prolonged spell of cold wave and dense fog is expected to have significant implications for daily life across north India. Dense fog during morning and night hours may lead to delays and cancellations of flights, disruption of rail services, and hazardous driving conditions on highways.
The IMD has urged residents, travellers, and authorities to remain vigilant, follow advisories closely, and take necessary precautions during periods of dense fog, cold wave, and storm activity as winter weather continues to assert its grip over large parts of the country.
