Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon to see cold days as IMD predicts more snow in J&K, Himachal and Uttarakhand

Weather Today: Winter has tightened its grip across North India, with Delhi-NCR witnessing cold nights, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that cold day and coldwave conditions are likely to persist through the week.

The IMD has forecast more light rain or snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand under the influence of a weak western disturbance.

Cold day conditions to continue in Delhi on Wednesday

In the national capital, the IMD said cold day conditions are likely to prevail on Wednesday, 7 January, with maximum temperatures expected to remain between 13 and 16 degrees Celsius.


As per the IMD, a cold day is declared when the maximum temperature remains 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius below normal.

On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 15.7 degrees Celsius, which was 3.3 degrees below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature, recorded during the cold night on Tuesday, settled at 7.6 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal.

Sub-zero temperatures recorded on Tuesday night in hill states

Minimum temperatures dipped below 0 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night at several places across Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, the IMD said.

A few areas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recorded temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius, while many parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan saw minimum temperatures ranging from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg in Baramulla district was the coldest place on Tuesday night, with the mercury plunging to minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4 degrees Celsius, down from minus 3.6 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Light snowfall was reported in the higher reaches of Kashmir, including the Mughal Road and upper areas of Ganderbal, due to a feeble western disturbance.

Trekking ban imposed in Himachal Pradesh

Amid worsening weather conditions, the Kangra district administration in Himachal Pradesh imposed a complete ban on trekking above 3,000 metres, officials said.

Severe cold, dense fog persist in Rajasthan

Several parts of Rajasthan continue to reel under severe cold, with night temperatures on Tuesday dipping below 10 degrees Celsius in many areas. At least four places recorded minimum temperatures below five degrees Celsius.

Winter vacations in schools, particularly for primary classes, have been extended in more than a dozen districts, including Jaipur, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Sikar, due to intense cold and dense fog.

Jaipur witnessed dense fog for the first time this season, while parts of the Bikaner, Kota and Udaipur divisions remained covered in thick fog. Authorities have set up night shelters, while people were seen lighting bonfires to stay warm.

Coldwave alert issued in Jharkhand till 7 January

In Jharkhand, the IMD issued a coldwave ‘yellow’ alert after temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in 10 districts, including Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla and Chatra.

Coldwave conditions are likely to persist in these districts till 7 January, the weather office said.

During the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, Gumla recorded the lowest temperature at 2.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Khunti (3.7 degrees) and Lohardaga (3.9 degrees).

Kolkata shivers as cold intensifies in West Bengal

Meanwhile, Kolkata recorded its coldest January day in recent years, with the minimum temperature dipping to 10.2 degrees Celsius. The IMD said the chill is likely to intensify across southern West Bengal over the next two days.

In northern West Bengal, dense fog is expected during early morning hours, reducing visibility. Cold day conditions are also likely in parts of Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur and Malda.

The IMD has advised people, especially the elderly and those with health conditions, to take precautions as coldwave conditions continue across large parts of the country.

Inputs from agencies