With heavy snow and rainfall predicted in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh during the next 48 hours, the ongoing cold wave is expected to extend to most parts of the country. Thick layer of fog is also expected to descend in many regions, disrupting road, train and air traffic.
According to weather scientists, Delhi along with Punjab and Haryana will be directly affected by the cold northerly winds which will cause further drop in mercury. India Meteorological Department (IMD) said minimum temperatures could fall below normal by 4-7 degrees Celsius (C) in most parts of the country.
On Monday, Keylong and Spiti in Himachal were at a record minimum of -7.9 degrees C. The lowest minimum temperature of 3.2 C was recorded at Pilani in Rajasthan.
As per IMD, cold conditions will continue to prevail in many parts in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Central Maharashtra, south Madhya Pradesh, interior Karnataka, Odisha and Chhattisgarh will also be affected by the ensuing cold wave during the next three days.
According to officials, such conditions of rain/snow in the north would largely arise due to the impact of western disturbances. Such conditions will persist at least till Jan 16.
Rainfall caused by western disturbance leaves large amount of moisture in the air, which causes dense fog when the speed of the wind is comparatively low. Western disturbances are low-pressure areas or extra-tropical storms originating from the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Caspian Sea.
After a brief sunny spell, Delhi is experiencing severe cold at a minimum of 5.7 degrees C. Overcast skies with relative humidity of 89 per cent did not provide respite from cold.
According to IMD data, the maximum temperature at 16.2 degrees C was 5 degrees below average. According to weather scientists, rain/snow is expected in Himachal Pradesh from January 14 to 16, and it is likely to dip mercury further in Delhi.
Kashmir valley reeled under cold wave with temperature plummeting below zero degrees C. As per IMD record, Srinagar, recorded a low of -3.1 degrees C. Many water bodies, including the Dal lake, were partially frozen as the cold wave intensified in the valley.
Severe cold wave conditions also continued to sweep across several parts of Punjab and Haryana where day temperatures were recorded to be much below normal. The maximum temperature in Chandigarh was 9.9 degrees C, 11 degrees below average. Narnaul in Haryana recorded the lowest temperature for the two States at 3.5 degrees C, two degrees below normal.
Dense fog has affected Rajasthan with cold conditions prevailing in the State. While Churu recorded a low of 3.6 degrees C, the night temperature at Mount Abu, fell at 2 degrees Celsius.