Chandigarh, December 20, 2025: As the year nears its end, northern India is grappling with dense fog, plunging temperatures, and early winter chills, with forecasts warning of rain and snow in parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert for dense to very dense fog and cold day conditions across several districts of Uttar Pradesh, warning that adverse weather may persist over the next two days.
The national capital was enveloped in a cold wave, with the sun largely obscured by clouds and pollutants, reducing visibility. At least 129 flights were cancelled at Delhi airport due to dense fog, an official said. “Very dense fog, with visibility below 50 metres, was reported in Agra, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Bareilly, Jhansi and other locations,” IMD noted. Cold day conditions were reported in western, central, and eastern UP, influenced by cold northerly winds and surface inversion.
In Jammu & Kashmir, a spell of wet weather is expected to coincide with the onset of ‘Chillai-Kalan’—the 40-day harsh winter period in Kashmir beginning December 21. Moderate to heavy snowfall is forecast in higher reaches, while light to moderate precipitation may affect the plains. Pulwama emerged as the coldest place in the valley at minus 3.2°C, followed by Srinagar at minus 0.4°C. South Kashmir’s Pahalgam recorded minus 1°C, Kokernag 0.8°C, and Qazigund minus 1°C. Kupwara settled at minus 0.7°C, while Gulmarg remained slightly above freezing at 2°C.
Himachal Pradesh also saw chilly conditions, with a yellow alert issued for dense fog in parts of Bilaspur and Mandi districts. Light rain and snow are expected in high and middle hills, while Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti was the coldest at minus 5.7°C. The state recorded zero rainfall against the normal 20.5 mm this December, raising concern among farmers and orchardists.
Punjab recorded Faridkot as the coldest place at 4.9°C. Amritsar logged 9.9°C, Ludhiana 9.6°C, Patiala 9.2°C, Pathankot 9°C, Bathinda 5.4°C, and Gurdaspur 7.5°C. Chandigarh recorded a minimum of 11.3°C. In neighbouring Haryana, Ambala registered 11.6°C, Jind 5.2°C, and Hisar 6.2°C. Rajasthan also experienced a cold wave, with Fatehpur at 5.4°C, Sikar 5.8°C, Jaipur 10.8°C, and Dabok and Ajmer both 10.5°C.
The IMD also warned of dense fog in parts of Jharkhand over the next two days (orange alert) and advised monitoring for the next three days (yellow alert). Ranchi recorded 6.4°C, Lohardaga 7.7°C, and Latehar 8.7°C. West Bengal, meanwhile, is expected to remain largely dry with shallow fog in a few districts. Minimum temperatures in the state are likely to fall by 2°C over the next two days. Darjeeling recorded 5.8°C, Kalimpong 11°C, and Kolkata 16.2°C.
With fog disrupting transport, cold waves affecting daily life, and snowfall set to begin in the hills, northern India is entering a harsh winter spell, prompting residents and authorities to remain vigilant.
