Delhi-NCR is currently experiencing severe cold wave conditions, with the mercury plummeting to as low as 3.6°C in areas like Lodhi Road. Gurugram also recorded a similarly low temperature of 3.5°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for "very dense fog" across the region.
The intense fog has significantly reduced visibility, with some areas reporting near-zero visibility. This has led to disruptions in daily life, particularly affecting transportation. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued an orange alert due to extremely low visibility, which was around 50 meters at 6:00 am. Several flights have been delayed, and passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updates.
The IMD had issued a nowcast warning for "very dense fog," which was valid until 9:03 am today. A yellow alert has also been issued, warning of cold wave conditions in isolated places. The weather agency has forecast that the minimum temperature in Delhi is expected to drop by 3 to 5°C below normal on Thursday.
According to IMD norms, a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius and is 4.5 degrees or more below normal, or when the actual minimum temperature touches 4 degrees Celsius or lower. Delhi has been experiencing one of its coldest spells in recent years, with minimum temperatures hovering near 3 degrees Celsius since the beginning of the week. The last time Delhi recorded a lower January minimum was on January 16, 2023, when it reached 1.4°C.
Some relief is expected from Friday as cold wave conditions are likely to weaken with the approach of a feeble western disturbance, which may push up night temperatures. The IMD has forecast the minimum temperature to hover between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, rising to 6–8 degrees on Friday. By Sunday, the minimum temperature is expected to climb further to between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius.
The weather agency has forecast partly cloudy skies. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 22°C to 24°C and 06°C to 08°C, respectively.
The IMD has also predicted dense to very dense fog conditions in the morning and night hours in isolated or some parts of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until January 16, with dense fog in isolated pockets until January 19, 2026.
A western disturbance is expected to begin affecting the Himalayan region, with fresh snowfall likely on January 16. A second, more active western disturbance is expected to bring possible rain across the plains around January 22 or 23.
Delhi's air quality remained at the higher end of the very poor category on Wednesday, with the 24-hour average air quality index recorded at 353, slightly lower than Tuesday's 360.
