Overview
- The IMD kept red alerts in force for Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh as abnormally low day temperatures and dense to very dense fog continued to disrupt visibility and transport.
- A prolonged fog spell is expected over the northern plains and Bihar for the next five to six days, with advisories highlighting heightened risks to health and travel.
- Extremes persisted on Wednesday: Hisar fell to 0.5°C, Chandigarh’s maximum was just 8.9°C, and Delhi logged a fourth straight cold-wave day with a 3.8°C minimum and very poor air quality (AQI 353).
- A fresh western disturbance from January 16 is forecast to bring snowfall to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with isolated rain likely in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh during January 18–20 and in Uttar Pradesh and east Rajasthan on January 19–20.
- Pakistan’s PMD expects a westerly to enter Thursday, producing rain mainly in upper and hilly regions such as Murree and the Galiyat while many plains, including Lahore, are likely to stay dry.