North India is grappling with biting cold, with the Meteorological Department predicting rain and snowfall in the coming days. States like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are experiencing a sharp dip in temperatures accompanied by dense fog.
Temperature Trends and Weather Forecast
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.6°C and a maximum of 17.7°C on Tuesday. Several districts in Uttar Pradesh saw a drop of up to 5°C in maximum temperatures. Rain is expected in the plains of North India between January 4 and 6, with snowfall likely in the hilly regions. Heavy snowfall warnings have been issued for Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, along with alerts for avalanches and landslides.
In Punjab’s Bathinda and Haryana’s Hisar, the minimum temperatures dropped to 5°C and 4.5°C, respectively. Kashmir is experiencing severe cold with water bodies like Dal Lake freezing, and Gulmarg recorded a temperature of -11.5°C.
Pollution and Weather Impact in Delhi-NCR
Delhi-NCR is battling not only the cold but also rising pollution levels. On Tuesday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 283, falling into the ‘poor’ category. A western disturbance is expected to bring significant weather changes from January 4, impacting both hilly and plain areas.
