Cold weather conditions intensified in the national capital on Tuesday as a western disturbance affected North India, bringing light rain to parts of Delhi since morning.
The rain is expected to continue through the day, adding to the winter chill.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius, while Palam reported 9.2 degrees Celsius. Cloudy skies and cold winds made the morning feel colder across the city.
IMD said an intense western disturbance will impact the Western Himalayan region from January 26 to 28, triggering widespread rain and snowfall, along with isolated heavy snowfall, rainfall and hailstorms on January 27.
Light to moderate rain and snowfall are likely at many places in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Isolated heavy rain or snowfall is also expected in these regions on January 27. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph, and at times up to 60 kmph, are forecast over parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on January 27.
The adjoining plains of northwest India, including West Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, may witness light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. East Uttar Pradesh is likely to receive rain on January 27 and 28, while isolated light rainfall is expected over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
IMD also warned of isolated hailstorm activity over Jammu and Kashmir on January 26 and 27, and over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on January 27.
Another fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of January 30, which may bring another wet spell.
On temperatures, the weather office said minimum temperatures over northwest India are expected to rise by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius over the next two days, followed by a fall during the subsequent two days. Central India may see a gradual dip in temperatures later this week, while Maharashtra and Gujarat are also likely to witness fluctuations in minimum temperatures.
Dense fog is likely during morning and night hours in isolated pockets of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar over the coming days.
Cold wave conditions are expected in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, while cold day conditions may prevail at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh on January 27.
Authorities have advised people to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel in fog-prone areas and follow weather advisories, especially in regions likely to receive snowfall and hailstorms.