North India braces for harsh winter spell, dense fog predicted for January 5

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• IMD warns of severe cold wave and dense fog in North India from January 5
• Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and UP to face harsh winter conditions
• Dense fog may disrupt travel and air quality; public advised to take precautions

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North India is set to witness an intense spell of winter weather on Monday, January 5, 2026, as the India Meteorological Department has forecast severe cold conditions across large parts of the country.

The weather agency has warned of a cold wave, dense fog and cold day conditions, with North India expected to face the harshest impact.

Several northern states, including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, are likely to bear the brunt of the cold spell.

The IMD has issued a cold wave warning for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi with effect from January 5, as temperatures continue to remain significantly below normal.

Alongside plunging temperatures, dense to very dense fog is expected during night and early morning hours across Delhi, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.

Extremely low visibility during these hours may disrupt daily activities and pose challenges for commuters.

In Delhi-NCR, daytime temperatures are forecast to remain subdued, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 17 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures in the region are likely to hover around 8 degrees Celsius, intensifying the winter chill, media reports said.

Cold conditions are also expected to persist across parts of Central and Eastern India. Isolated pockets of Bihar and Odisha may experience foggy weather along with cold day conditions over the coming days.

In Rajasthan, a cold wave warning remains in force from January 4 to January 7, while Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are likely to witness dense fog between January 6 and January 8.

The Himalayan and adjoining hill states are also set to see a change in weather due to an active western disturbance. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh may receive light rainfall or snowfall in higher-altitude areas, which could further intensify cold conditions in the neighbouring plains.

Weather conditions are likely to impact travel and air quality as well. Dense fog may lead to delays and disruptions in flight and train services, particularly in and around the Delhi-NCR region.

Air quality levels in cities such as Delhi and Lucknow may remain in the “Very Poor” category due to unfavourable weather conditions.

The IMD has advised people to take necessary precautions during the cold spell and to remain alert to official weather bulletins for region-specific warnings and updates.