Cold wave is back as rain, snow to persist: IMD forecasts big dip in temperature

As temperatures plummet and precipitation patterns shift, the India Meteorological Department predicts a cold wave and rainfall across northwest India.

A fresh cold wave is set to grip large parts of north India as a very cold and dry air mass moves into the plains from late Thursday night. Cold northwesterly winds ranging between 15 and 35 kmph are expected too, leading to a sharp fall in night temperatures across several northern states, as per weather forecast data.

People in north and northwestern India should brace for significant weather changes from January 24 to 28, including dense fog. (Photos: HT, PTI, ANI)

Minimum temperatures are likely to drop by 0 to 5 degrees Celsius in most cities of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi-NCR and northwest Rajasthan between January 24 and January 26, according to a weather update shared on social media by an independent weather observer, citing IMD forecast.

Despite sunny conditions during the day, maximum temperatures are expected to remain subdued in the range of 13 to 17 degrees Celsius during this period.

The IMD forecast

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said rainfall and snowfall activity over the western Himalayan region is expected to reduce to isolated or scattered light to moderate precipitation on January 24 and 25.

A fresh wet spell is likely to affect northwest India from January 27, bringing widespread rainfall and snowfall over the western Himalayan region on January 27 and scattered precipitation on January 28, the IMD's daily bulletin noted.

The weather office said isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall are likely over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on January 27, with light to moderate rain over the adjoining northwest plains during the same period.

On temperatures, the IMD said minimum temperatures are expected to fall by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius over northwest India in the next 24 hours. Dense to very dense fog is likely in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh between January 24 and 26, while dense fog may also affect parts of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh during the same period, the IMD said.

Cold wave conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Himachal Pradesh on January 25 and 26, according to the IMD. In its analysis, the IMD said a well-marked low-pressure area over north Pakistan, along with strong upper-air winds and an active subtropical westerly jet stream, is influencing current weather conditions over north India.

The IMD added that another western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from January 26, which could bring further rain, snow and colder conditions.