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Large parts of north, east and central India are set to experience persistent dense to very dense fog and cold day conditions over the coming days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The central agency, in its weather bulletin, also warned of continued disruption to transport, aviation and daily life through the end of December.
Dense to very dense fog during night and morning hours is very likely over Punjab until December 27, while Uttar Pradesh may see similar conditions on December 23 and again from December 25 to 28, as per IMD.
Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to witness dense fog between December 24 and 27, with isolated pockets affected till December 29.
Fog across Eastern and Central states
The IMD said fog conditions are also likely over Bihar and Odisha till December 27, Rajasthan, north Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and north Madhya Pradesh till December 23, and across parts of northeast India till December 25.
Isolated pockets in the western Himalayan region are expected to remain fog-prone through December 27.
Read more: Alarming! Delhi NCR records 'severe' AQI at 414, only 11 stations report 'very poor' air
The weather department attributed the conditions to an active western disturbance and the continued presence of a strong subtropical westerly jet stream over northwest India, with core winds reaching around 140 knots at higher altitudes.
Cold day and temperature trends
Cold day conditions are likely in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand on December 23, the IMD said.
Bihar is expected to see similar conditions between December 23 and 26.
Minimum temperatures have remained below normal in several regions. The lowest minimum temperature over the plains was recorded at 4.5 degrees Celsius in Barabanki, east Uttar Pradesh.
The IMD forecast a gradual fall of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures over northwest India over the next three days from December 23, with no major change thereafter.
Delhi-NCR to see fog, cold winds
For Delhi-NCR, the IMD forecast mainly clear skies with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours from December 23 to 25.
Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may drop to 6 to 11 degrees Celsius by December 25.
Read more: Mumbai AQI: Bombay HC summons BMC chief and MPCB member-secretary over 'cosmetic' compliance
Winds are likely to remain north-westerly, strengthening during daytime hours before easing at night.
Travel, health and sectoral impacts
The IMD cautioned that dense fog may affect airports, highways and railway routes, leading to slower travel and difficult driving conditions. The power sector could also face line tripping in areas experiencing very dense fog.
From a health perspective, the IMD warned that prolonged exposure to dense fog could aggravate respiratory issues, eye irritation and asthma-related problems.
Cold conditions may increase the risk of flu, hypothermia and frostbite, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The central agency, in its weather bulletin, also warned of continued disruption to transport, aviation and daily life through the end of December.
Dense to very dense fog during night and morning hours is very likely over Punjab until December 27, while Uttar Pradesh may see similar conditions on December 23 and again from December 25 to 28, as per IMD.
Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are expected to witness dense fog between December 24 and 27, with isolated pockets affected till December 29.
Fog across Eastern and Central states
The IMD said fog conditions are also likely over Bihar and Odisha till December 27, Rajasthan, north Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and north Madhya Pradesh till December 23, and across parts of northeast India till December 25.
Isolated pockets in the western Himalayan region are expected to remain fog-prone through December 27.
Read more: Alarming! Delhi NCR records 'severe' AQI at 414, only 11 stations report 'very poor' air
The weather department attributed the conditions to an active western disturbance and the continued presence of a strong subtropical westerly jet stream over northwest India, with core winds reaching around 140 knots at higher altitudes.
Cold day and temperature trends
Cold day conditions are likely in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand on December 23, the IMD said.
Bihar is expected to see similar conditions between December 23 and 26.
Minimum temperatures have remained below normal in several regions. The lowest minimum temperature over the plains was recorded at 4.5 degrees Celsius in Barabanki, east Uttar Pradesh.
The IMD forecast a gradual fall of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures over northwest India over the next three days from December 23, with no major change thereafter.
Delhi-NCR to see fog, cold winds
For Delhi-NCR, the IMD forecast mainly clear skies with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours from December 23 to 25.
Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may drop to 6 to 11 degrees Celsius by December 25.
Read more: Mumbai AQI: Bombay HC summons BMC chief and MPCB member-secretary over 'cosmetic' compliance
Winds are likely to remain north-westerly, strengthening during daytime hours before easing at night.
Travel, health and sectoral impacts
The IMD cautioned that dense fog may affect airports, highways and railway routes, leading to slower travel and difficult driving conditions. The power sector could also face line tripping in areas experiencing very dense fog.
From a health perspective, the IMD warned that prolonged exposure to dense fog could aggravate respiratory issues, eye irritation and asthma-related problems.
Cold conditions may increase the risk of flu, hypothermia and frostbite, particularly among vulnerable populations.
