The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant weather advisory, forecasting a week-long spell of intense winter conditions that will grip large parts of the country. The detailed forecast, valid from the evening of December 21 through December 27, 2025, warns of active weather systems bringing snowfall, widespread fog, and biting cold waves, posing challenges to daily life and transportation.
Active Western Disturbance Triggers Himalayan Snowfall
One of the primary drivers of the upcoming weather is an active western disturbance over the Western Himalayan region. The IMD predicts scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall from December 21 to 23. Isolated heavy snowfall is very likely over the higher reaches of northeast Himachal Pradesh on December 21.
This snowy weather will be accompanied by strong, gusty winds. The department has warned of potential snowstorms with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph. These conditions are expected to severely reduce visibility to below 400 metres in affected areas. The wintry activity is likely to persist in a more isolated form over the Western Himalayas from December 24 to 26 as well.
Dense Fog Blankets the Indo-Gangetic Plains
A major hazard highlighted in the bulletin is the formation of dense to very dense fog across the northern and eastern plains, significantly reducing visibility during night and early morning hours. The IMD has provided a detailed fog outlook for several states:
- East Uttar Pradesh: Dense to very dense fog until December 23, and again from December 26 to 28.
- Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh: Similar severe fog conditions expected from December 25 to 28.
- West Uttar Pradesh: Dense fog likely from December 26 to 28.
- Bihar: Dense fog forecast until December 24.
- Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand: Foggy conditions anticipated until December 26.
- Northeast India: Isolated pockets may see dense fog till the morning of December 24.
Plummeting Temperatures and Cold Wave Alerts
The IMD bulletin outlines a complex pattern of minimum temperature changes across different regions, leading to cold wave and cold day conditions. Northwest India (excluding Uttar Pradesh) will see a gradual fall of 3–5°C between December 23 and 25. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh will first see a rise of 2–3°C (Dec 21-23) followed by a sharp drop of 3–5°C (Dec 24-27).
Cold wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of North interior Karnataka and Telangana on December 22 and 23.
Furthermore, cold day conditions are forecast for a wide swath on December 21, affecting isolated areas of Bihar, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Severe cold day conditions are specifically expected in parts of Madhya Pradesh on that day. These chilly conditions will persist in several northern states through December 22 and 23.
Marine Warnings and Advisory
The IMD has also issued warnings for rough sea conditions. Squally winds with speeds of 45–55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are forecast over the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area on December 21 and 22. Similar windy conditions are expected along the south Oman and Yemen coasts, parts of the west-central Arabian Sea, and the Somalia coast on December 21. Fishermen are strongly advised not to venture into these sea areas during this period.
In light of these forecasts, the India Meteorological Department has urged state authorities, travellers, and the general public to remain vigilant. The combination of reduced visibility due to fog, icy roads in the hills, and severe cold is expected to significantly impact road and air transport, as well as daily routines. Citizens, especially in the affected northern, central, and peninsular regions, are advised to take necessary precautions against the cold and plan travel accordingly.
