Cold wave chills north–central India as southern states brace for rain – check weather today

Large parts of north, central, east and northeast India are bracing for an intense spell of cold, with the weather department warning of cold wave and cold day conditions, dense fog and rainfall over the coming days. The advisory comes as temperatures have already dropped sharply in several regions, with fresh lows reported across many states.

Cold wave to persist in several states

Cold wave conditions are very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Odisha from January 7 to January 9. Rajasthan is expected to face similar conditions from January 8 to January 11. Madhya Pradesh is likely to be affected on January 7 and 8, while Vidarbha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are expected to remain under cold wave conditions until January 8.

In addition, cold wave conditions are forecast across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh during the week, even as chilly days continue in parts of the north and Himalayan regions.

Cold day warnings across north and east

Cold day conditions are likely over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on January 6 and 7. Delhi, west Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are expected to see cold day conditions on January 6, while east Rajasthan, West Bengal and Sikkim may experience similar conditions between January 6 and 8. Jharkhand is also expected to see cold day conditions on January 6, 2026.

Dense fog to disrupt mornings and nights

Dense to very dense fog is expected to continue during morning hours across northwest, central, east and northeast India over the next five to seven days. Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh are likely to see very dense fog between January 7 and 9, followed by dense fog in isolated pockets for another four days.

Dense fog is also expected on multiple days over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. Isolated foggy conditions are likely in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and several northeastern states.

Temperatures plunge in Jharkhand and West Bengal

In Jharkhand, where a cold wave alert is in place, temperatures fell below 10 degrees Celsius in 10 districts on Tuesday. A yellow alert has been issued for Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla and Chatra, with cold wave conditions expected to continue until January 7.

In neighbouring West Bengal, Kolkata recorded its coldest January day at 10.2 degrees Celsius. The chill is expected to intensify across southern parts of the state over the next couple of days. Official data shows the city’s minimum temperature had dipped below 11 degrees Celsius only once in the past 15 years, in 2023.

Rain and temperature outlook

Minimum temperatures may fall by 2–3 degrees Celsius over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi today. A similar drop is expected across central and eastern India, followed by stable conditions for four days. No major change is forecast elsewhere.

In southern India, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely over Tamil Nadu on January 8 and 9. Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mahe on January 9 and 10.