Delhi records its first cold day of 2026, intense cold wave and fog grip North India; snowfall continues in the hilly states.

Severe cold and cold wave conditions continue to grip North India. Dense fog prevails in the plains of states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, while fresh snowfall is occurring in the hilly regions of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Temperatures have dropped in several parts of North India, including the national capital, which recorded its first cold day of the year. According to the Meteorological Department, a cold day is declared when the maximum temperature is 4.5°C to 6.4°C below normal.

Weather Update for Key States:

Delhi-NCR: Delhi recorded one of the coldest days of the year today. The maximum temperature is expected to be between 16°C and 18°C, while the minimum temperature remains around 7°C. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog.

Uttar Pradesh: Several districts of Uttar Pradesh are experiencing severe cold. Etawah was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 2.6°C. Schools up to class 8 have been closed until January 10, 2026, in cities like Varanasi and Noida due to fog and cold weather.

Madhya Pradesh: Several districts of the state are affected by the cold wave. Schools have been closed or timings have been changed in 16 districts, including the Gwalior-Chambal division. Night temperatures have dropped to 5°C to 7°C in many areas.

Hilly States:

Kashmir: Heavy snowfall is occurring in high-altitude areas like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Temperatures in the valley remain below freezing.

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand: Light to moderate snowfall is expected in areas like Shimla, Manali, and Badrinath. A 'ground frost' warning has been issued for some parts of Uttarakhand, which could be harmful to crops.

Several trains and flights in North India are running late due to dense fog. Passengers are advised to check their travel status before leaving home. Elderly people and children are advised to take special precautions due to the severe cold.

Fog disrupts flights at Delhi airport, 6 flights cancelled.

The intense cold and dense fog in the national capital have slowed down air traffic. Visibility levels were extremely low at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) this morning, causing significant disruption to flight operations.

According to reports, a total of 6 flights were cancelled, and more than 150 flights were delayed due to the adverse weather conditions on Tuesday.