IMD warns of active winter spell from January 27: rain and snow in western Himalayas, cold wave risk in plains
A fresh western disturbance is set to trigger widespread rain and snowfall across the western Himalayas from January 27, while parts of north and northwest India could face thunderstorms, dense fog and isolated cold wave conditions, the IMD has warned.
Weather system behind the alert
A fresh spell of winter weather is expected to affect large parts of north, northwest and central India from January 27, 2026, driven by a new western disturbance, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast is based on the agency’s All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued late on January 26.
The IMD expects a combination of rain and snowfall in the western Himalayan region, alongside thunderstorms, gusty winds and fog in pockets of the plains. The agency has also indicated that another western disturbance may approach northwest India from the night of January 30, suggesting unsettled conditions could persist into the end of the month.
Regions likely to be impacted
The IMD expects fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and snowfall across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on January 27, with continued activity over Uttarakhand on January 28. In the plains, scattered to fairly widespread light-to-moderate rain is expected in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on January 27, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
The forecast also points to stormy conditions across sections of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with isolated hailstorm risk mentioned for some hill and adjoining regions.
Cold wave, fog and travel advisories
The IMD has flagged the possibility of cold wave conditions in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and neighbouring areas, and warned of dense fog in isolated pockets in several northern states on select dates through the end of January. Such conditions can reduce visibility, slow road traffic and affect flight and train operations.
Authorities and residents are advised to monitor updated forecasts and warnings, and to plan travel cautiously where fog, snow or gusty wind alerts are in effect.