North India is firmly in winter’s grasp as an intense cold wave swept across the region, bringing snowfall to the hills, icy winds to the plains, and dense fog that disrupted daily life. From the snow-laden valleys of Jammu and Kashmir to the fog-choked highways of Uttar Pradesh, weather conditions turned harsh over the weekend, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that the chill is far from over.
In Jammu and Kashmir, winter made a dramatic entry with the first major snowfall of the season, marking the onset of Chillai-Kalan—the region’s harshest 40-day winter period. Sonmarg recorded a biting minimum temperature of –1.5°C, while continuous snowfall blanketed the area through the day. Gulmarg received nearly two inches of fresh snow, pushing temperatures below freezing and transforming the landscape into a winter postcard.
Srinagar, however, saw a contrasting trend, registering its warmest night of the season at 4°C. Despite this, snowfall and poor visibility led to significant disruptions, with at least 11 flights cancelled at Srinagar International Airport, stranding passengers amid weather uncertainty.
Himachal Pradesh Sees Fresh Snowfall, But Dry Spell Persists
Himachal Pradesh also shivered under plunging temperatures as snow covered high-altitude regions of Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba. Fresh snowfall was reported at Shinku La, Rohtang Pass, the Pangi Valley, and even near the Atal Tunnel, delighting tourists but complicating travel.
Shinku La, located at an elevation of nearly 5,000 metres, drew large crowds as visitors flocked to witness snowfall at what is being developed as a new snow tourism hotspot. However, despite snowfall in upper reaches, dense cloud cover in mid and lower hill areas prolonged dry conditions, leaving the state with a 100% rainfall deficit for the month. The IMD has cautioned that moderate to severe snowstorms may occur at isolated locations in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti.
Dense Fog Chokes Plains, Cold Day Conditions Intensify
While the hills froze, the plains battled dense fog and cold day conditions. Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh witnessed poor visibility, with fog reducing sightlines to below 50 metres in several areas of Uttar Pradesh. Narnaul emerged as the coldest spot in Haryana at 5.2°C, while Gurdaspur recorded 6.8°C, the lowest in Punjab.
Parts of Uttar Pradesh and isolated pockets of Uttarakhand experienced cold day to severe cold day conditions, prompting advisories for caution, especially for early morning travel.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4°C, slightly above normal, a day after experiencing its coldest December day of the season. However, foggy mornings and chilly evenings continue to define the capital’s winter rhythm.
What Lies Ahead
According to the IMD, snowfall, rain and dense fog are likely to persist over the next 24 to 48 hours across large parts of North India—from Jammu and Kashmir to Rajasthan. With winter tightening its grip, authorities have urged residents and travellers to remain alert, plan journeys carefully, and follow weather advisories closely.