India Rings in 2026 Amid Cold Wave, Fog, and Rainy Weather
India stepped into the New Year under a sharp winter spell, with large parts of the country experiencing cold wave conditions, dense fog, and falling temperatures, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
While Mumbai saw light showers early on New Year’s Day, Delhi recorded its coldest December day in six years on New Year’s Eve. A similar chill gripped Rajasthan, and schools in Assam’s Guwahati were closed due to a sharp fall in daytime temperatures.
Delhi Records Coldest December Day in Six Years
In the national capital, daytime temperatures remained well below seasonal norms on December 31, marking the harshest December day in six years. The IMD noted that “cold day” conditions occur when both daytime and night-time temperatures stay significantly lower than average—a trend expected to continue into early January. Shallow fog in the evening also reduced visibility, disrupting travel across the city.
Eastern India Battles Severe Cold
Jharkhand faced dense fog warnings, with visibility dropping to dangerously low levels in several districts. Temperatures in parts of the state fell to around 4°C, driven by persistent north-westerly winds, according to an IMD bulletin.
Schools Shut in Assam
In Assam, Guwahati authorities ordered a week-long closure of schools to protect children’s health amid plunging daytime temperatures, cloudy skies, and intermittent drizzle, PTI reported. Residents relied on heavy clothing and wood fires to stay warm.
Light Showers in Mumbai
Mumbai experienced light rain in areas including Walkeshwar and Lower Parel, which helped reduce pollution levels, ANI reported.
Rajasthan Sees Single-Digit Minimums
Rajasthan continued to experience sharp night-time chills. Karauli recorded the state’s lowest temperatures, while several eastern and northern towns reported single-digit minimums. Jaipur and Jodhpur also felt colder-than-usual nights. Dense fog is expected to blanket large parts of northern, western, and eastern Rajasthan from January 1 to 3, potentially affecting road and rail travel.
Punjab Endures Biting Cold
Cold conditions persisted across Punjab, with cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala experiencing chilly mornings, while areas such as Gurdaspur and Faridkot reported even lower minimum temperatures. Chandigarh, the joint capital with Haryana, felt similar cold, with towns like Rohtak and Narnaul recording low night-time temperatures, keeping residents indoors during early mornings and late evenings.
Snow and Fog in West Bengal
West Bengal, particularly its sub-Himalayan districts, saw plunging temperatures. Darjeeling and other higher-elevation areas were forecast to experience light rain or snowfall, with fog expected to linger across the state during morning hours for several days.
National Outlook
On a national scale, the IMD warned that dense to very dense fog, cold wave conditions, and “cold days” are likely to affect Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and parts of central and eastern India in the coming days. While minimum temperatures may temporarily rise, another dip is expected as cold northerly winds strengthen across the northern plains. Authorities have urged caution during early morning and late-night travel.
