India is poised for a starkly divided weather scenario starting Thursday, January 11, as extreme winter conditions are set to intensify across the country. The northern and central regions will grapple with a tightening grip of severe cold, while the southern peninsula prepares for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, according to the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Southern Peninsula Braces for Active Weather
The forecast period begins with active and unsettled weather for South India. On January 11, isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are very likely to experience heavy rainfall. This precipitation will be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. A similar pattern of thunderstorm activity is expected to continue into Friday, January 12, though the intensity of the rainfall may decrease gradually after that.
Coastal areas adjoining North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry could face squally conditions on Thursday, with wind speeds predicted to reach 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph. These rough sea conditions are likely to ease after January 11. While no formal warning for fishermen has been issued for these specific dates, authorities are advised to exercise caution.
This spell of rain will offer a temporary break from dry spells in some interior zones. However, it also carries the risk of disrupting local transportation, affecting low-lying areas, and impacting agricultural activities, especially where intense thunderstorms bring short, heavy downpours.
Intense Cold Wave Descends on North and Central India
In a dramatic contrast, vast swathes of North and Central India are under the threat of intensifying cold wave and severe cold wave conditions beginning January 11. Rajasthan is expected to be the hardest hit, with cold wave to severe cold wave conditions very likely at isolated places on both January 11 and 12. The state will continue to experience cold wave conditions through January 14.
The chill will extend to several other states. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Odisha are also bracing for cold wave conditions on January 11 and 12. Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and North Interior Karnataka are likely to see similar conditions on January 11.
Adding to the discomfort, cold day conditions are forecast for Bihar from January 11 to 14. Rajasthan may also witness cold day conditions on Thursday, exacerbating the impact of the already low nighttime temperatures.
Dense Fog to Disrupt Travel Across Plains
Visibility is set to plummet across the Indo-Gangetic plains and nearby areas due to dense fog. From January 11 onwards, isolated pockets of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will experience dense fog.
Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are likely to be enveloped by dense to very dense fog until January 12, with dense fog conditions potentially lingering until January 17. Rajasthan may see dense to very dense fog until January 11, followed by dense fog until January 13.
Fog is also predicted for Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura on January 11, and again during January 14 and 15. This prolonged spell of poor visibility is expected to cause significant disruption to road, rail, and air travel, particularly during the early morning and late-night hours, raising the risk of accidents and delays.
Gradual Temperature Rise on the Horizon
Despite the immediate cold wave warnings, the IMD forecast indicates a gradual rise in minimum temperatures over several regions in the coming days. Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh are expected to see a rise of about 2°C between January 11 and 14. Maximum temperatures in East India are likely to increase by approximately 2 degrees Celsius over January 11 and 12.
Northeast India may witness a slightly higher rise of 2-3 degrees between January 11 and 13. Minimum temperatures over Maharashtra are very likely to increase by 2-3 degrees Celsius gradually from January 13 to 15. Gujarat will see a similar rise on January 13 and 14, followed by a gradual fall of 2-3 degrees from January 15 to 17.
These trends suggest that while bitterly cold conditions will persist in the short term, especially in the north, some moderation can be expected in central and eastern parts of the country as the week progresses.
Outlook for the Coming Days
Looking ahead to the period from January 13 to 15, isolated rainfall activity is likely over the western Himalayan region and the Nicobar Islands. While no widespread severe weather is anticipated during this time, localized precipitation in hilly areas could affect travel and daily routines. The IMD continues to monitor the situation and advises citizens to stay updated with the latest weather bulletins.
