Parts of north India, including Delhi and Punjab are poised to experience dense, blinding fog and biting cold conditions in the first week of 2024 as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert.Red alert in North India amid cold wave conditionsThe IMD has forecast cold day weather with thick fog across several Punjab districts till January 2.A layer of fog (encircled patch) over Punjab, North Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northwest Madhya Pradesh, south Uttarkhand, Sub Himalayan West Bengal is visible in the satellite picture taken at 06:15 IST on January 1, 2024: IMD pic.twitter.com/C41iZiN4CF— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024An orange alert signalling extreme weather has also been issued for Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.Heres what IMD predicted:Dense to very dense fog with visibility under 50 meters is highly likely in parts of Uttar Pradesh during late December 31st night through January 2nd morning. Isolated pockets may see similar conditions for 2-3 days after, the IMD bulletin stated.Mercury levels are predicted to plunge further as the new year commences, with temperatures ranging between 9-6°C in the affected states. IMD projections indicate the cold spell will continue through the first week of January.What are categories for fog densityNotably, the department categorises fog density based on visibility - less than 50 meters is very dense, 51-200 meters is dense, 201-500 meters is moderate and 501-1,000 meters is shallow.The fog cover poses major concerns for residents daily commute and activities.On Sunday, visibility dropped to 25 meters in Haryanas Ambala and 50 meters in Rajasthans Bikaner, Punjabs Patiala and Chandigarh. Amritsar in Punjab and Haryanas Hisar saw 200-meter visibility, while Uttar Pradeshs Jhansi recorded 50 meters.Meanwhile, Uttarakhand could experience dense fog with 50-200 meter visibility from December 31st to January 4th, IMD projections show.More temperature dip expectedMaximum temperatures are expected to dip 2-3°C over large swathes of north and central India over the next two days. Minimum temperatures wont see significant change elsewhere, as per the weather agency.Light isolated rainfall is also predicted in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh between January 1-3 owing to lower-level easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal.Authorities have advised precautions like slow driving and wearing warm clothes. With festivals and New Year revelry approaching, fog and cold present challenges to celebrate safely.
