Weather alert: 3 active Western Disturbances to bring heavy snowfall to Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand, rain to Delhi

• Three western disturbances to bring rain, snow, storms to northwest India this week
• IMD warns of heavy rain, snow in Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand from Jan 22-25
• Fog may disrupt travel in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar in the coming days.

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A succession of three active western disturbances is poised to sweep across the Indian subcontinent, promising a sustained period of wet and turbulent weather for the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains for the next seven days, according to forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD has issued warnings for isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall over the Kashmir valley on January 22 and 23, and over the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on January 23.

Himachal Pradesh is forecast to see isolated to scattered precipitation from January 22, becoming widespread between January 22-24. In Uttarakhand, scattered precipitation will commence on January 22, gaining intensity from January 23-25.

The influence of the western disturbances will extend beyond the mountains, impacting a broad swathe of northwest India. Punjab is likely to receive scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall between January 22-25.

Similar conditions are anticipated in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan during the same period. Eastern Uttar Pradesh may witness rainfall primarily on January 23 and 24.

Accompanying the precipitation will be volatile atmospheric conditions. Thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and gusty winds is predicted across several states. Winds reaching 40-50 km/h are likely over Jammu and Kashmir on January 23, while speeds of 30-40 km/h may affect Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between January 22-24.

Furthermore, the IMD has warned of dense to very dense fog forming over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during the next two to three days, potentially disrupting travel.

The IMD has indicated no significant change in minimum temperatures over northwest India in the immediate next three days. However, a gradual rise followed by a subsequent fall is expected later in the week as the systems pass through.

Residents and travellers across the affected regions are advised to monitor official updates closely, with the extended wet spell likely to influence road conditions, particularly in hill areas and disrupt aviation and road traffic due to the associated fog, rain and gusty winds.