India is currently witnessing a stark divergence in winter weather patterns, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing multiple advisories ranging from dense fog alerts in the north to cold wave warnings in the south.
While northern and central regions are battling hazardous air quality and plummeting visibility, southern states are seeing a mix of coastal showers and unusually chilly nights.
North India: Fog and Pollution woes
A thick blanket of fog continues to envelope large swathes of the northern plains, specifically impacting Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The IMD has issued an orange alert, cautioning commuters about reduced visibility which has dropped to near-zero levels during late night and early morning hours.
Adding to the winter woes is the severe air pollution in the national capital. With calm winds preventing the dispersion of pollutants, smog accumulation has worsened. Several monitoring stations in Delhi have recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the ‘Severe’ to ‘Severe Plus’ category, with readings breaching the 450 mark in multiple localities. Night temperatures in the city have dipped to approximately 8.2°C.
Meteorologists indicate that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the region around December 17. This system may bring cloudy skies to parts of northwest India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, though pollution levels are expected to remain elevated in the near term.
Snow in the Hills
In the upper reaches of the Himalayas, winter conditions have intensified. Higher altitudes in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir have received light snowfall, impacting road connectivity. Key routes, including stretches of the Srinagar–Leh and Manali–Leh highways, have faced temporary restrictions due to snow accumulation.
Southern Chill: Telangana and Karnataka
Winter’s grip is also tightening over the southern peninsula. The IMD has issued a specific cold wave alert for December 15 covering isolated pockets in four Telangana districts: Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Sangareddy, and Medak.
In Hyderabad, residents can expect mist or haze during morning hours. Minimum temperatures in the city and surrounding areas are forecast to hover around 13°C, which is 2 to 3 degrees below normal. Maximum temperatures are likely to stay near 30°C.
Bengaluru is similarly witnessing a sharp drop in mercury. The IMD forecasts chilly nights and early morning mist for the tech hub from December 15 to December 20. Minimum temperatures have already touched 14.5°C and could potentially dip further to 12°C, marking one of the coldest December spells in recent years for the city.
Tamil Nadu: Coastal Rains
Contrastingly, coastal Tamil Nadu continues to receive winter monsoon showers. The weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall for Chennai, Puducherry, and Karaikal. While the intensity of the rain has reduced compared to earlier in the week, isolated thunderstorms remain possible until December 18.
For Chennai, skies will remain generally cloudy with daytime temperatures around 29°C and night temperatures settling between 20°C and 21°C. Interior districts of the state remain largely dry, though they may see a dip in daytime temperatures by 2–3°C over the coming days.
