Season’s Coldest Spell Grips North India: Delhi Shivers At 3.2°C, Gurugram Freezes At 0.6°C

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 16:09 IST

North India faces its coldest spell with Delhi at 3.2 degrees Celsius and Gurugram at 0.6. IMD warns of continued cold wave, prompting school closures in Ghaziabad and Ranchi.

Cold wave conditions to intensify in northern India (File image: PTI)

North India reeled under the season’s coldest spell on Monday as a sharp dip in temperatures brought life to a standstill across several states. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest this winter so far, while dense fog and frost blanketed across the plains from Haryana to Rajasthan and Punjab.

The cold was more biting on the fringes of the National Capital Region, with Haryana’s Gurugram recording the state’s lowest temperature at 0.6 degrees Celsius and near sub-zero conditions prevailing in adjoining areas.

According to weather readings taken between 5 am and 7.30 am, ground frost was seen with temperatures in parts of Gurgaon dipping to minus 1 degree Celsius on January 12, 2026. A severe cold wave led to the freezing of dew, forming layers of ice in open areas across Delhi NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab.

The India Meteorological Department said the cold wave is expected to continue for the next few days, warning of severe cold conditions in isolated pockets across northern India.

The biting cold prompted authorities to close schools in several regions. In Uttar Pradesh, Ghaziabad district suspended classes up to Grade 5 until January 15, while schools for students from Class 6 to Class 12 will operate on revised timings from 10 am to 3 pm.

Similar measures were announced in Jharkhand, where schools in Ranchi district will remain closed for students up to Class 6 until January 14. Classes from Class 7 to Class 12 will begin at 10 am. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions in parts of Jharkhand from January 13 to 16.

The IMD said minimum temperatures in Delhi and adjoining areas are expected to remain 3 to 5 degrees below normal for the next three days before edging up slightly. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover near normal for the next four days and then rise above normal levels.

Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are forecast over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on January 12 and 13. Dense fog is likely across northwest India and Bihar for the next five days.

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