Weather Update: Cold Wave and Dense Fog Grip Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi; Heavy Rainfall Hits Tamil Nadu and Odisha

Severe cold wave conditions have been reported in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, with cold wave conditions also affecting parts of Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh, Punjab, and Saurashtra & Kutch. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has experienced heavy rainfall in isolated areas due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather latest warnings for these regions, along with forecasts of dense fog and ground frost in various parts of the country.

Weather Systems in Action

• Low Pressure Area: A well-marked low-pressure area currently lies over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal as of 0830 hours IST on December 20th. This system is expected to move northwards and may intensify into a depression within the next 12 hours. It will continue its movement towards the north-northeast over the next 24 hours.

• Western Disturbances: A western disturbance, located near Longitude 72°E and north of Latitude 25°N, is influencing northwest Rajasthan through an induced cyclonic circulation in the lower levels. A fresh, weak western disturbance is expected to affect Northwest India from December 22nd, 2024, while another active western disturbance is forecast to impact the Western Himalayan region and adjacent plains from December 27th, 2024.

Temperature Forecast

Adampur, Punjab recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 3.8°C, with a gradual rise in temperatures expected across Northwest and Central India.

Rainfall and Snowfall Forecast

• Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha: Light to moderate rainfall is expected in these regions with heavy rainfall at isolated locations on December 20th.

• Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh: Light snowfall and rainfall are expected at isolated places from December 22nd to December 24th.

Cold Wave and Fog Warnings

• Cold Wave: Cold wave conditions are likely to affect parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other regions from December 21th to 26th.

• Dense Fog: Dense fog is expected in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, East Rajasthan, and Jharkhand till December 22nd, and will shift to areas like Punjab, Haryana, Assam, and West Bengal over the following days.

• Ground Frost: Ground frost conditions are likely in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh and other areas like Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya between December 21th and 24th.

Delhi/NCR Weather Forecast

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are set to experience a mix of smoggy mornings, shallow fog, and clear skies over the coming days. Over the past 24 hours, Delhi/NCR saw a slight rise in minimum temperatures, ranging from 7-9°C, with maximums at 21-23°C. Moderate fog reduced visibility at Safdarjung and Palam airports to 300m and 700m, respectively, improving slightly later. Smog and light winds dominated, with calm conditions at night.

While temperatures remain near normal, the cold nights and calm winds are expected to persist, creating a wintry ambiance. Residents are advised to stay prepared for reduced visibility during early mornings and evenings. Here's the detailed forecast for the region.

Residents are advised to stay updated with latest alerts, exercise caution in cold wave and fog-affected areas, and plan travel accordingly to ensure safety during these changing weather conditions.