What is the story about?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread dense fog, cold-wave conditions, and isolated snowfall across India on Thursday, December 18.
The early morning fog is expected to be dense in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the adjoining regions.
Parts of Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the northeastern regions are also likely to experience dense fog. The cold wave is expected to persist in isolated areas, particularly across Uttarakhand and Western Madhya Pradesh.
North India and Delhi-NCR
North India is still experiencing the worst of winter weather. Dense fog covered Delhi and the adjoining areas on Thursday morning, severely impairing vision and creating risky traffic conditions.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that the capital's air quality index (AQI) dropped to 358. AQI was in the severe category at four of Delhi's 39 monitoring sites, while several were on the verge.
Transportation has already been affected by fog; major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have issued travel alerts as flight operations at northern airports struggle with poor visibility, delays, and cancellations.
Western Himalayan Region
While western disturbances affect the weather, isolated locations over the hills of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are expected to receive light rainfall and snowfall during the day. Hill stations and higher terrain may have snow accumulation in certain places, which is characteristic of mid-winter circumstances.
East, Central and South India
While isolated fog patches may occur in certain regions of the northeast and Odisha, the most severe fog and chilly weather are focused in the north and northwest. Meanwhile, most of the southern and central regions will experience dry, generally pleasant weather, with only sporadic early-morning fog in a few interior areas.
Maharashtra
Maximum temperatures are rising in the Konkan region, which includes districts such as Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Pune in Central Maharashtra is predicted to have highs of around 28°C and lows of approximately 9°C.
The Marathwada region continues to be cold. Temperatures in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar can reach as high as 30°C and as low as around 10°C. The chilly weather in North Maharashtra is becoming worse. Temperatures in Nashik are predicted to fall below 10°C.
Cold Balance and Temperatures
Cold-wave alerts have been issued when minimum temperatures remain below seasonal norms across a large portion of northern and central India. The minimum temperatures in the northwest Indian plains are not predicted to vary significantly during the next several days, but they are likely to gradually rise by 2-3°C, especially in places like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The early morning fog is expected to be dense in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the adjoining regions.
Parts of Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the northeastern regions are also likely to experience dense fog. The cold wave is expected to persist in isolated areas, particularly across Uttarakhand and Western Madhya Pradesh.
North India and Delhi-NCR
North India is still experiencing the worst of winter weather. Dense fog covered Delhi and the adjoining areas on Thursday morning, severely impairing vision and creating risky traffic conditions.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that the capital's air quality index (AQI) dropped to 358. AQI was in the severe category at four of Delhi's 39 monitoring sites, while several were on the verge.
Transportation has already been affected by fog; major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have issued travel alerts as flight operations at northern airports struggle with poor visibility, delays, and cancellations.
Western Himalayan Region
While western disturbances affect the weather, isolated locations over the hills of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are expected to receive light rainfall and snowfall during the day. Hill stations and higher terrain may have snow accumulation in certain places, which is characteristic of mid-winter circumstances.
East, Central and South India
While isolated fog patches may occur in certain regions of the northeast and Odisha, the most severe fog and chilly weather are focused in the north and northwest. Meanwhile, most of the southern and central regions will experience dry, generally pleasant weather, with only sporadic early-morning fog in a few interior areas.
Maharashtra
Maximum temperatures are rising in the Konkan region, which includes districts such as Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Pune in Central Maharashtra is predicted to have highs of around 28°C and lows of approximately 9°C.
The Marathwada region continues to be cold. Temperatures in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar can reach as high as 30°C and as low as around 10°C. The chilly weather in North Maharashtra is becoming worse. Temperatures in Nashik are predicted to fall below 10°C.
Cold Balance and Temperatures
Cold-wave alerts have been issued when minimum temperatures remain below seasonal norms across a large portion of northern and central India. The minimum temperatures in the northwest Indian plains are not predicted to vary significantly during the next several days, but they are likely to gradually rise by 2-3°C, especially in places like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
