Weather today: Rain in Delhi, snow in Himachal, hail alert for Rajasthan and UP; IMD explains why and what’s the forecast till January 27

North India, including Delhi, Gurgaon, areas in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are likely to witness a fresh spell of active winter weather over the next few days as a strong western disturbance moves across the western Himalayas and adjoining plains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin dated, has forecast rain in Delhi, snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, and hailstorms across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh over the next few days. The most intense weather activity is expected between January 22 and January 23, with unsettled conditions likely to continue till January 27.

IMD has also indicated the arrival of another western disturbance from January 26, suggesting that the current cold-season volatility is far from over.

Delhi Weather today: Why North India’s weather changed suddenly

Delhi and other NCR regions like Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Meerut witnessed morning rainfaal today. According to IMD, the sudden shift in weather is due to the strengthening of a western disturbance over the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains. This system is interacting with moist winds and unstable atmospheric conditions, triggering widespread rain, snow, thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong surface winds across north and northwest India.


Also Read: Himachal Pradesh on snowfall alert: Manali may freeze at 0 degrees today. Check what IMD has predicted for Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti

Such systems are common during winter, but the current one is expected to be particularly active, bringing multiple weather hazards over a short period.

Snowfall Alert in Himachal and Uttarakhand

The western Himalayan states are expected to face the strongest impact. IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on January 22 and 23. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are likely to witness similar conditions on January 23.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh weather: UP likely to see rain, hailstorms today in many districts; Noida, Lucknow and Ghaziabad also on IMD alert. Check weather report

Snowfall may intensify in higher reaches, increasing the chances of fresh snow accumulation in hill towns and mountain passes. IMD has warned that this could lead to temporary road closures, travel disruptions and reduced visibility in vulnerable mountain stretches.

Rain, hail and gusty winds forecast for Punjab, Haryana, Jammu

Delhi and neighbouring plains are expected to see a spell of unsettled weather. Punjab is likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall on January 23, accompanied by thunderstorms, hailstorms and thundersqualls.

On January 22, thunderstorms with hailstorms are very likely at isolated places over Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50 to 60 kilometres per hour are also likely at isolated locations in Punjab.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR weather: Parts of Delhi, Noida get light rain

On January 23, thunderstorms with hailstorms are forecast across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh. IMD has warned that gusty winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour may affect Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, while wind speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are expected in parts of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh.

These conditions may disrupt road and rail movement, affect flight operations, and damage standing crops in agricultural belts.

Hail alert for Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

IMD has highlighted a high risk of hailstorms and lightning across several states during January 22 and 23. On January 22, hailstorms with lightning and winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are very likely over east Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

On January 23, hailstorm activity is expected to spread further, covering Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh. IMD said the wide spread of hail indicates strong atmospheric instability linked to the advancing western disturbance.

Fog to return after rain spell

Once the active system weakens, dense fog is likely to make a comeback over the Indo-Gangetic plains. IMD has forecast dense fog in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh till January 22, and again from January 24 to January 26 over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and west Rajasthan.

On January 24 and 25, dense fog is likely during night and early morning hours over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and western Rajasthan, affecting visibility for commuters.

Temperature swings expected in coming days

Minimum temperatures across north and central India are expected to fluctuate. Over northwest India, minimum temperatures may rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius on January 22 and 23, followed by a fall of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius on January 24 and 25. Temperatures are likely to rise again from January 26 onwards.

Central India may see no major change initially, followed by a slight drop and a gradual rise later in the period. No major temperature variation is expected across the rest of the country.

Thunderstorms in southern and island regions

Weather activity is also expected outside north India. IMD has forecast thunderstorms with lightning over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on January 22. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may experience thunderstorms with lightning on January 24 and 25, bringing brief spells of rain and gusty winds.

Fishermen warned of strong winds

IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the northwest Arabian Sea from January 22 to 24, along and off the Oman coast on January 23, parts of the southwest and adjoining west-central Arabian Sea from January 23 to 24, and along and off the Somalia coast from January 22 to 25. No warnings have been issued for the Bay of Bengal.