Cold Wave Tightens Grip Across North India; Delhi-NCR to Shiver on January 18

Large parts of North India continue to reel under severe cold conditions, with dense fog, icy winds and cold wave conditions disrupting daily life. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the harsh winter spell is set to persist on Sunday, January 18, particularly across Delhi-NCR and adjoining regions.

Delhi-NCR: Bitter Cold and Dense Fog to Continue

Delhi and the National Capital Region are expected to witness intense cold accompanied by fog during the morning and late evening hours. While daytime temperatures may rise slightly, chilling winds will maintain a biting cold feel. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for fog, warning of reduced visibility, especially during early hours.

Cold Wave Alert Across Northern States

Due to the impact of an active western disturbance, cold wave conditions are likely to prevail over parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the next one to two days. Several regions may also experience “cold day” conditions, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh.

Dense fog is expected to continue over northwest India and Bihar during morning and night hours for the next five days, further affecting road, rail and air transport.

Punjab and Haryana Remain in Cold Grip

Despite a marginal rise in temperatures over the past two days, severe cold conditions continue across Punjab and Haryana. Narnaul in Haryana recorded the lowest temperature at 3°C. In Punjab, Amritsar remained the coldest city with a minimum temperature of 4.4°C. Chandigarh recorded a minimum of 6°C, still below normal.

City-wise Temperature Forecast for January 18

Rain and Snowfall Likely in Hill States

Light rain and snowfall are likely over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Punjab may witness rainfall on January 18, 19 and 22, while Haryana-Chandigarh could see showers on January 19 and 22. Western Uttar Pradesh may also receive rainfall around January 22.

Uttar Pradesh Battles Icy Winds

Uttar Pradesh continues to experience chilling winds, with cold mornings and evenings causing discomfort despite sunshine during the day. Fog is likely to affect visibility during early hours. A gradual rise in minimum temperatures by 4–6°C is expected over the next five to six days.

Bihar Sees Slight Relief

Bihar has witnessed some respite due to bright sunshine during the day, though cold conditions persist in the mornings and nights. The IMD has forecast dry weather across the state for the next seven days, with no cold wave warning issued.

Outlook:
While a slight easing of cold conditions is expected in the coming days, meteorologists warn that another spell of cold may return around January 21. Residents across northern states are advised to remain cautious, particularly during foggy hours.