The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant weather advisory, warning of a pronounced intensification of winter conditions across large swathes of the country. The forecast predicts persistent dense to very dense fog, cold wave conditions, and snowfall over the western Himalayan region, with these severe weather patterns expected to last until January 1, 2026.
Regional Forecast: Snow, Rain, and Thunderstorms
According to the detailed IMD bulletin, the western Himalayan region is bracing for active weather. Isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall or snowfall is very likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad on December 27, and again from December 29 to January 1. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also expected to see similar precipitation on December 27, 30, and 31.
In a contrasting weather event, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are likely to experience thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 kmph from December 27 to 30. Following this, for three subsequent days, isolated to scattered rainfall is anticipated over the Western Himalayan region, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and the island territories.
Widespread Fog and Biting Cold Day Conditions
The IMD has highlighted extensive fog coverage across northern, eastern, and northeastern states. Dense to very dense fog is likely in isolated pockets of Assam till December 28, Himachal Pradesh till December 31, and Arunachal Pradesh till December 30.
Several other regions, including Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Odisha, and Uttarakhand, may experience dense fog till December 31. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and Bihar are forecast to have dense fog till December 29, with isolated pockets persisting for four more days.
Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh may see dense to very dense fog till December 30. Uttar Pradesh is likely to be severely impacted, with dense to very dense fog expected in many parts until January 1, 2026.
Alongside the fog, cold wave conditions are expected in north Rajasthan on December 28, and in Jharkhand on December 28 and 29. More severely, cold day to severe cold day conditions are forecast for East Uttar Pradesh on December 27, Bihar from December 27 to 31, and parts of Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh during this period.
Temperature Trends and Recorded Lows
The IMD reported that minimum temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged over Northwest, Central, and East India for the next 4–5 days, followed by a slight rise of 2–3°C. As of December 26, the minimum temperature was below normal across many parts of central, eastern, and southern India.
Rajgarh in Madhya Pradesh recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 4.2°C. Meanwhile, maximum temperatures remained below normal in parts of Jharkhand. The highest maximum temperature of 35.2°C was reported at Karwar in Karnataka and Kottayam in Kerala, showcasing the vast temperature disparity across the nation.
The cold wave conditions are predicted to primarily affect north, east, and northeast India. For the rest of the country, no significant change in minimum temperatures is expected over the next seven days.
