A sharp and persistent cold snap has gripped large parts of India, bringing winter-like conditions weeks ahead of schedule. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), minimum temperatures across several regions have remained between 2°C and 6°C below normal throughout November, with the chill expected to continue over the next five days.
Delhi is facing an unusually cold and polluted start to the season. The national capital recorded its earliest single-digit minimum temperature in 11 years, with readings slipping below 10°C since November 15. On Monday, Delhi logged a minimum of 8.7°C, which is 3.6°C below normal and the lowest November temperature in three years. Most areas in Delhi reported night temperatures between 9°C and 11°C, while daytime highs ranged between 24°C and 26°C.
Despite a slight rise of about 1°C over the past 24 hours, IMD officials say conditions continue to remain “appreciably below normal.” The forecast indicates shallow to moderate fog on Wednesday, along with clear skies and morning fog from November 20 to 24.
The cold wave has extended far beyond the northern region. Mumbai woke up to an unusually chilly morning, with the Santacruz observatory recording 17.4°C, nearly 4°C below normal for mid-November. Severe cold wave conditions have been reported in parts of western Madhya Pradesh and central Maharashtra.
Minimum temperatures have dropped sharply—up to five notches below normal—in Konkan, Goa, Vidarbha, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Saurashtra-Kutch.
A brief spell of warmth is expected, with minimum temperatures likely to rise by 2°C to 3°C over northwest and east India by the weekend.
Meanwhile, eastern India is likely to witness widespread fog, while southern states prepare for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning until November 24.
