A cold wave has swept through northern Indian states, causing Delhi to record its lowest temperature of the season at 4.8 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a continued decline to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The cold front impacts areas such as Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, whereas Jammu and Kashmir experienced new snowfall. IMD forecasts predominantly clear skies with cold wave conditions, anticipating smog/mist in the morning and evening. In early December, temperatures drop below 5 degrees Celsius for the first time in 14 years.

Coldwave In Delhi

The weather agency forecasted for December 12, "Mostly clear skies with cold wave conditions in some areas." The main surface wind is expected to come from the northwest at a speed under 8 km/h in the morning hours. Morning fog/smog is probable. The wind speed will rise afterward, dropping below 16 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon. It will subsequently diminish, falling below 8 kmph from the northwest in the evening and at night. Fog or haze is probable during the evening or night.

IMD Forecasts Coldwave Warnings

As per the IMD prediction for northern India, the minimum temperatures in northwest and central India are unlikely to vary substantially in the upcoming four to five days.

Over the next couple of days, East India's minimum temperatures are anticipated to slowly decrease by 2-3°C with no noticeable shift, while West India's minimum temperatures are projected to gradually increase by 2-3°C. In certain regions of Rajasthan, the IMD forecasted that cold wave conditions may continue until December 16.

Cold wave conditions were forecasted to continue in various regions of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh until December 16; in Saurashtra and Kutch, as well as Delhi, until December 13; and in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad from December 13 to 16.