Weather Alert for New Year 2026: Rain and Dense Fog Expected Across North India

As India gears up to welcome 2026, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for six states in North India. Citizens are advised to stay cautious as rain, snowfall, and dense fog could impact celebrations and travel plans.

Rain and Snow Alert in Northern States

On December 31, 2025, the IMD has forecasted rain and snowfall in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir. The severe weather may cause temperatures to drop by 2–3°C in affected areas. Hill stations and high-altitude regions should prepare for snowfall, while plains may experience intermittent rain showers.

Delhi Weather Forecast

Delhi is expected to experience chilly weather with chances of rain. Maximum temperature will hover around 20°C, while the minimum may drop to 10°C. Early morning temperatures could fall further to 8–9°C, so residents are advised to take precautions if stepping out. A rain alert for January 1 has also been issued.

Uttar Pradesh Weather Update

Over 20 districts in Uttar Pradesh will face dense fog during early morning hours. Travelers are warned to exercise caution while commuting. Affected districts include Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bahraich, Gonda, Saifai, Mainpuri, Bijnor, Rampur, Balrampur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Sitapur, Agra, Tundla, Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly, Amethi, Meerut, and Barabanki.

Bihar Weather Outlook

In Bihar, temperatures may drop by 2–3°C, with dense fog reported in Patna, Gopalganj, Jehanabad, Gaya, Siwan, Bhojpur, Buxar, Saran, and East Champaran. Cloudy conditions are expected in Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria, and light rainfall is possible on January 1 in some areas.

Uttarakhand Weather Forecast

In Uttarakhand, light to moderate rainfall is expected in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Dehradun, and Pithoragarh from the evening of December 31. In Nainital, temperatures will range from a maximum of 15°C to a minimum of 4°C, with cloudy skies throughout the day.

Temperature Snapshot Across Major Cities (31 December 2025)

IMD advises residents to stay updated on weather conditions, avoid unnecessary travel during dense fog or rainfall, and take precautions to stay warm during this cold spell as the country heads into the New Year celebrations.

If you want, I can also create a shorter, punchy version for a newspaper weather section that highlights only the key cities and alerts for quick reader reference. This format works very well for print editions. Do you want me to do that?