IMD weather alert: Dense fog in Delhi, UP, Punjab; cold wave in MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka till Dec 14

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A significant chill is descending upon vast swathes of India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing alerts for dense fog across northern states and cold wave conditions in central and peninsular regions until at least December 14.

While Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to experience milder-than-predicted temperatures, they have not escaped the widespread fog disrupting morning routines.

The capital awoke to a familiar wintry haze on Thursday, with dense fog reducing visibility in parts of Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad, slowing traffic and prompting caution among commuters.

According to the IMD’s forecast for Friday, the city can expect a partly cloudy sky with shallow fog during the morning hours. Temperatures are holding steady, with minimums likely between 7 to 9 degrees Celsius and maximums reaching 23 to 25 degrees Celsius — readings that remain above the seasonal average for mid-December.

However, the situation intensifies beyond the capital. The IMD has flagged "very dense fog" specifically for Uttar Pradesh today, December 12. The fog alert is extensive, covering Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Odisha and the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland in varying degrees through the morning hours of December 16.

Simultaneously, a separate cold wave warning is in effect for central and adjoining regions. As per the IMD bulletin dated December 11, isolated places in Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and Odisha are very likely to experience cold wave conditions on December 12 and 13. This chill is predicted to extend to Telangana and North Interior Karnataka from December 12 to 14.

A shift in the weather pattern is on the horizon for the northern mountains. The IMD forecasts that a "fresh feeble Western Disturbance" will influence the Western Himalayan Region from December 13. This system is expected to bring light rainfall or snowfall to isolated places in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit Baltistan-Muzaffarabad from December 13 to 17 and over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on December 14.

The persistent fog and emerging cold wave conditions mark a definitive turn towards winter's sharper embrace for much of the country. Authorities advise residents, particularly in alert zones, to exercise caution during early morning travel and to stay updated on official weather advisories as the pattern evolves.