What’s today’s weather: IMD forecast cold wave and fog for Delhi-NCR, and heavy rain alert for Tamil Nadu and Kerala

A fresh spell of severe winter weather is set to impact large parts of the country from January 9 onwards, with cold wave and dense fog conditions persisting across north and northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, even as southern states brace for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.

The forecast is based on the All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued on January 8, 2026.According to the outlook, weather conditions over the next few days will remain challenging for commuters, farmers, and coastal communities, with multiple advisories in place for fog, cold wave, rainfall, and rough sea conditions.

North India to experience cold wave and fog

In north and northwest India, cold wave conditions are expected to prevail at isolated places from January 9, particularly over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

On January 9, cold day conditions are also likely in isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, and eastern Madhya Pradesh, indicating persistently low daytime temperatures.

Minimum temperatures across the plains of northwest India, including Delhi, are forecast to remain largely unchanged over the next seven days. This suggests prolonged chilly conditions, with little relief expected in the near term.

Ground frost is also likely at isolated locations in Uttarakhand on January 9 and 10, which could affect crops and early-morning travel in hilly areas.Dense to very dense fog remains a major concern. On January 9, dense fog is likely in isolated pockets across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and several northeastern states. Dense to very dense fog is expected in East Rajasthan, which will increase the chances of reduced visibility on major highways and airports.Expect fog situations to be seen on the 10th of January as well for the regions of Delhi/NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Northeast. Though there is a slight decrease expected from 11th January onwards in the level of fog, dense fog is still anticipated to occur at isolated points for Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.

South India: Heavy rain and thunderstorms

Unlike this, the Southern part of India is expected to experience high rainfall activity.

On January 9 and 10, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. These spells would be expected to be followed by thunderstorms and lightning, which would pose a threat of localised floods and waterlogging, especially in the low-lying areas of cities.Kerala and Mahe are expected to experience heavy rains on January 10 as well. Thunderstorms are expected to continue over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on January 10 and 11.

There may be isolated rainfall over regions of southern India in the coming days, but the intensity may weaken gradually.The bulletin also highlights hazardous sea conditions over parts of the Bay of Bengal and adjoining seas. Until the evening of January 9, squally winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, are expected over the southwest Bay of Bengal, the Sri Lanka coast, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin area.

By January 10, the wind speed is expected to reduce, though the sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough along and off the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.

Advisory and preparedness

The concerned authorities have asked people in areas under the effect of fog to be careful during early morning and late-night hours. In the southern states, the concerned authority has asked the local administrations to remain cautious about waterlogging, lightning, and coastal issues. As different weather conditions are being witnessed in different parts of the country, the next few days are likely to check the readiness of these zones, which are at risk of being affected due to cold, fog, rain, and gusty winds.