Overview
- Cold wave conditions remain in place for the next two days across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha, with Delhi-NCR under an Orange Alert.
- Dense to very dense fog is forecast over Northwest India and Bihar for the next five to six days, with severely reduced visibility already reported in multiple locations.
- Snowfall is expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during 16–20 January, with isolated rain likely in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on 18–20 January and in Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan on 19–20 January; Lakshadweep has rain and thunderstorms on 14 January.
- IMD attributes the unusual pattern of plains colder than hills to clear-sky radiative cooling and cold northwesterly winds, while cloud cover kept hill stations like Shimla warmer at night.
- Crop scientists expect the upcoming rains to aid wheat, and IMD’s agromet advisory urges light evening irrigation, mulching and covers for nurseries and young fruit plants to limit cold injury.