As New Year’s celebrations draw near, residents across North India, including Delhi and its surrounding regions, are preparing for an intense cold wave and heavy fog that could impact festivities. While the recent rains have subsided, a significant shift in weather patterns is expected to take hold in the coming days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD has forecast a period of very dense fog and a cold wave for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan between December 30 and January 2. This sudden drop in temperatures, combined with reduced visibility, is likely to disrupt New Year plans for many. In Delhi, the city’s maximum temperature has already dipped to 18 degrees Celsius, about 2.4 degrees below normal, while the minimum settled at 13 degrees Celsius, six notches above the average. However, a sharp drop in the minimum temperature by around six degrees is expected over the next few days.

In neighboring states, the mercury is expected to plunge even further. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan are forecast to see their minimum temperatures fall by three to four degrees in the next three days. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh will face a more significant drop, with the minimum temperature plunging by four to six degrees over the next five days. Similarly, central India will experience a three to five degree dip, while Maharashtra is set to see a two to four degree decline in temperatures by the end of the week.

Isolated areas in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan are likely to face severe cold wave conditions, and cold days have been predicted for some areas in these regions starting December 30. Dense to very dense fog will accompany the freezing temperatures, especially during late night and early morning hours, creating hazardous conditions for travel.

The IMD also warns that Uttar Pradesh will be engulfed in fog on December 30, with Himachal Pradesh expected to face similar conditions until January 1. In the northeast, fog will blanket regions such as Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura through January 2, prompting authorities to advise residents and travelers to exercise caution.

As the cold wave tightens its grip, North India is bracing for a challenging start to the New Year.