New Delhi | January 19, 2026
North India is yet another region that is still in the clutches of the bitter winter with another round of cold wave, heavy fog and snowfall still disrupting day to day lives. The attention of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is that the weather conditions will remain harsh between the next few days because of the active western disturbances in the area.
Early mornings of the plains to fresh Snowfall in Kashmir at the hills, winter has escalated in the northern states hence the authorities have given alerts to commuters and travellers.
Delhi dense fog disrupts morning traffic as visibility drops across the city, causing delays in road and rail movement.
Dense Fog Blankets Delhi and NCR
The NCR areas and Delhi woke up to thick to very thick fog, which considerably decreased the visibility in the early morning hours. A number of localities were also reported to have visibility that was less than safe, which impacted the road traffic and delayed trains.
The capital was also still fighting the problem of poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) lying in the very poor to severe range, and aggravating breathing conditions during the cold mornings.
IMD officials have cautioned that the conditions of fog might continue to occur at night hours and in the early morning days.
Cold Wave Conditions Across Northern Plains
Cold wave conditions are prevailing across parts of:
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
The temperatures in a number of cities are under the seasonal average and nights and mornings are very uncomfortable. It has been recommended that residents should not be exposed to cold for a long period of time, especially children, elderly people and individuals with respiratory issues.
Snowfall Continues in Hill States
In the higher reaches of North India, fresh snowfall has been reported from parts of:
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
Temperatures dropped below zero in popular tourist destinations, and mountains and roads that went through the interior were covered with ice. Authorities are also on the alert because moderate and heavy snowfall will probably occur in high altitude in the next few days.
The warning has been given to hilly parts where snow can cause temporary blockage and delay.
Western Disturbances Behind Weather Shift
Meteorologists explain the current weather activity by the presence of two active western disturbances travelling in northern India. These systems are charged with:
- Increased cloud cover
- Falling night temperatures
- Rain and snowfall in hill regions
- Persistent fog in the plains
These disruptions are typical of the winter season but have compounded the effects of the present cold season.
Impact on Travel and Daily Life
The severe weather in the winter has had an impact on everyday life in a number of states:
- Train services running late due to fog
- Low visibility on highways during morning hours
- Tourist movement impacted in hill stations
- Health concerns rising due to cold and pollution
The government has recommended that individuals should monitor weather conditions prior to travelling and more so in the early morning hours.
IMD Weather Update Forecast for the Next Few Days
According to IMD forecasts:
- There will still be a lot of fog in the northern plains at night and in the morning.
- It is expected to continue having cold wave conditions in most states.
- Light rains could be experienced in north west India.
- There are higher chances of an increase in snowfall in the higher Himalayan areas.
It will take time before the weather conditions improve significantly but once the western disturbances taper off later this week, the weather conditions will improve.
Advisory for Citizens
The IMD has urged citizens to:
- Eliminate unnecessary early morning commuting.
- Creep in foggy places.
- Dress properly in winter.
- Keep in touch with weather bulletins.
Bottom Line
The winter has gripped North India and frozen the temperature of the regions, along with heavy fog and snowfall in some areas. As cold days continue to occur in increasing numbers, people are encouraged to be alert and ready since the weather conditions are quite difficult.