Winter intensifies in North India with 'Cold Day' conditions – Top Weather Updates

Much of northern India braces for harsh cold wave conditions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts "cold day to severe cold day" conditions for Delhi on Friday, with temperatures plummeting well below normal seasonal averages.

Neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and parts of Uttar Pradesh will also endure the bitter chill. Isolated areas of Punjab and Rajasthan could see cold wave conditions, intensifying the winter misery.

Several trains and flights in the national capital are running late amid the dense fog in the region.

#WATCH | Delhi: Several trains delayed at Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station due to fog.

(Visuals shot at 12:50 am) pic.twitter.com/YCGhhWkiMY

— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024

What’s difference between a cold day and a severe cold day?

A cold day is declared when temperatures drop 4.5-6.4°C below the seasonal normal. A severe cold day sees the mercury plunge 6.5°C below average.

#WATCH | Delhi: Fog grips the national capital as temperature dips further.

(Visuals from Kartavya Path, shot at 6:45 am) pic.twitter.com/VBKmpQFMx4

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2024

Top weather updates of January 5:

• The extreme cold brings potential hardship for commuters amid reduced visibility from dense fog across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and west Rajasthan. Some east Rajasthan areas will also be affected, the IMD warns.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Coldwave conditions and dense fog continue in Moradabad. pic.twitter.com/Fwx3NkHgVq

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 4, 2024

• Uttarakhand could see dense fog in several places, while isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir will witness reduced visibility.

• On Thursday, Delhi's Safdarjung Observatory recorded a high of only 12.5°C - 6.8°C below normal. Hissar in Haryana logged 12°C, 6.8°C below average. Patiala in Punjab saw 10.5°C, 8.1°C below normal.

• Kota in Rajasthan endured a frigid 14.1°C, 8°C below usual temperatures. Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh observed 16.7°C, 7.3°C below normal.

• Chandigarh hit 17.1°C. Nearby Ambala, Hisar and Rohtak saw 15.8°C, 12°C and 13.3°C respectively. In Punjab, Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar recorded 11°C, 10.5°C and 11.4°C.

• Uttar Pradesh cities like Meerut, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur and more witnessed maximum temperatures of 14.6-17.2°C.

• The IMD predicts minimum and maximum temperatures will rise 2-4°C from Sunday as warm, moist southwesterly winds offer some relief from the cold snap.