Weather Update: Fog and severe cold wreak havoc in Delhi, IMD issues yellow and red alert

Published: Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 3:33 am

Dense Fog and Cold Wave Grip Delhi, Disrupting Travel

Delhi and surrounding areas are experiencing a severe cold snap, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing both yellow and red alerts due to dense fog and a predicted cold wave. The capital city saw temperatures plummet on Wednesday, with Lodhi Road recording a low of 3.6 degrees Celsius and Gurugram reaching 3.5 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has issued a red alert for fog, warning of very low visibility in several areas, including Central Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, North West, South Delhi, and South West. This alert highlights the potential for significant disruption due to the dense fog. A cold wave warning has also been issued for neighboring states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The IMD forecasts dense to very dense fog in these regions, particularly during morning and night hours, extending until January 16th in some areas and potentially lingering until January 19th in others.

The Delhi Airport issued an orange alert early Wednesday morning due to severely reduced visibility, impacting flight operations. The airport is currently operating under CAT III conditions, which allows for operations in low visibility. The weather agency predicts partly cloudy skies for January 15th, but cold wave conditions are expected to persist. Moderate fog is anticipated in the morning, with the possibility of dense fog in some areas.

The minimum temperature in Delhi is expected to remain significantly below normal, ranging from 3.1 to 5 degrees Celsius below average. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, with a difference of approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius. The IMD forecasts maximum temperatures between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius.

The primary weather monitoring station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Other areas, including Ayanagar, Palam, and the Ridge area, also experienced low temperatures. The IMD has warned of cold wave conditions across several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Odisha.

BNN's Perspective: The severity of the cold wave and the widespread fog are concerning, and the alerts issued by the IMD are a necessary measure to ensure public safety. Residents should take precautions and stay informed about travel disruptions. The impact on air travel highlights the need for preparedness and flexibility during this period.

Keywords: Delhi weather, cold wave, dense fog, IMD, red alert, yellow alert, temperature, Gurugram, flight delays, flight cancellations, visibility, weather forecast, India Meteorological Department

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