New Delhi: Delhi-NCR is witnessing chilly winds, dense fog and bone-piercing cold, with day temperatures plunging below normal. On Wednesday, the India
Meteorological Department (IMD) explained the reason behind issuance of a yellow alert for a cold wave for several cities across northern India, including Delhi.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert until Thursday. It has predicted dense to very dense fog and the possibility of “cold day” conditions. On Tuesday, the biting cold was attributed to a combination of upper-level fog and icy northwesterly winds. Similar conditions prevailed on Thursday, with mercury dipping lower than usual.
What does the IMD say
IMD scientist Naresh Kumar was quoted as saying to news agency PTI that there is a complete layer, called as a clear clouds dense fog layer, which blocks direct sunlight from reaching the earth’s surface.
This is why daytime temperatures are lower than usual, prompting the weather department to issue a cold wave alert for the next few days across several north Indian states.
Children stand near a small fire amid cold winter weather, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)
Why cold conditions prevail in Delhi
Thursday was the coldest morning of the season for Delhi, with minimum temperature dropping to 5.8 degrees Celsius. The weather department said the temperature in the capital on Thursday was 1.1 degrees below normal. This was because cold northerly winds from the Himalayan region moved towards Delhi.
The season’s previous lowest minimum temperature was recorded on December 20, when the mercury dipped to 6.1 degrees Celsius.
The intense cold is expected to drag on through the week, even as the IMD has predicted a marginal rise in maximum temperatures from Friday. Until January 14, Delhi is likely to see clear skies with shallow to moderate fog during the morning hours.
Amateur meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya has reportedly said that in the absence of any western disturbance until mid-January, similar conditions are likely to continue, with maximum temperatures remaining in single digits across Punjab, Haryana, northwest Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
