New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted cold wave and issued fog alerts across the country for the next five days. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are expected to witness heavy rainfall on December 26. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. In North India, cold wave conditions and dense fog will prevail in isolated regions, with the Western Himalayan Region expecting snowfall on December 27 and 28.
In addition to rain, thunderstorms with lightning and hailstorms are expected in several states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, on December 26 and 27. Cold wave and cold day conditions are likely to affect Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, while dense fog could reduce visibility in parts of the northern and eastern states, particularly in the mornings and late nights.
Region-wise weather forecast
South India: Heavy rainfall is predicted for isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on December 26. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may see light to moderate rain with thunderstorms on December 26.
Western Himalayan region: Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall are expected over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on December 27 and 28.
North and west India: Hailstorms are likely over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on December 27. Rajasthan may experience cold day conditions on December 26, 27 and 28, while Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are expected to see dense fog on the same days.
Central India: Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh are likely to see rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on December 27 and 28. West Madhya Pradesh is also likely to witness hailstorms during this period. Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada will have similar weather between December 26 and 28.
East and northeast India: Dense fog is expected in Odisha, Bihar, Assam, and Meghalaya on December 26. Thunderstorms with lightning may also affect these states during this period.
Cold wave and fog alerts
Cold wave conditions are likely in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on December 26, with severe cold wave pockets in Himachal Pradesh. Ground frost may occur in isolated areas of the state.
Dense fog is expected to affect Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during late night and early morning hours between December 28 and 31.