The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued snowfall and hailstorm alerts across the western Himalayan region from Thursday onwards. Widespread rainfall and snowfall are expected across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while Punjab is likely to witness hailstorms and gusty winds.
The intense Western Disturbance has triggered a change in the weather. Presently, it is positioned over north Pakistan, along with another disturbance developing over northeast Iran.
Widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall is set to blanket Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through January 23, before moving into Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, according to the latest IMD forecast.
IMD-Weather Alert (22–23 January 2026)
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 21, 2026
Due to an intense Western disturbance, light to moderate rainfall/snowfall at most places with isolated heavy falls likely over the Western Himalayan region and light to moderate rainfall at a few places on the plains of northwest India on… pic.twitter.com/9ut3Ew7yPJ
Meanwhile, Punjab is expected to receive fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall on January 23. Thunderstorm, accompanied by hailstorm and lightning warning, has also been issued.
The lightning and thunderstorms are also likely to affect Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on January 23. Parts of West, East Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand may also witness similar conditions.
Past six hours animation shows Western Disturbance associated moderate to intense convective clouds over J&K and Ladakh.#Satellite #WeatherAnimation #ConvectiveClouds #WesternDisturbance@moesgoi @airnewsalerts @DDNational @ndmaindia @ICRER_MHA pic.twitter.com/cBWczU5ghD
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 21, 2026
On Thursday, dense fog conditions are likely to occur in isolated regions of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The weather is likely to remain the same again between January 24 and 26.
The IMD's new forecast comes as cold wave conditions prevailed in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Over the past 24 hours, dense to very dense fog reduced visibility to below 200 metres in parts of Punjab and Haryana, reported IMD.
Central India temperature
The Central India temperature is likely to remain unchanged, while Maharashtra may witness a gradual rise in night temperatures over the next two days.
The minimum temperature is likely to rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius over northwest India during the next two days.
Delhi climate
IMD forecasts partly to generally cloudy skies on January 22, with shallow to moderate fog in the morning.
On Friday, light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph may occur.
The IMD also forecasted that another Western Disturbance is likely to affect northwest India between January 26 and 28. The weather agency has advised fishermen not to venture into parts of the Arabian Sea between January 22 and 26 due to rough sea conditions.
