Severe cold wave grips North India, mercury likely to plunge to 2 degrees
North India braces for a punishing cold wave tomorrow as temperatures are set to drop to 2 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued alerts for severe cold and dense fog across the northwest region.
North India is set to remain under the grip of a punishing cold wave today, with temperatures in some regions likely to drop to as low as 2 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for several states, warning that the combination of “severe cold wave” conditions and “dense to very dense fog” will continue to disrupt everyday life across the northwest.
BITING COLD AND BLINDING FOG
According to the latest IMD newsletter, severe cold wave conditions are very likely to persist in many pockets of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh on January 12. Delhi is expected to record a minimum temperature between two and four degrees Celsius. Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak and weather vlogger for Kisan Tak, noted the geographical reach of this weather system.
He said, “The cold wave from the north is reaching Kutch of Gujarat, Punjab in the west, and Rajasthan. In Kutch, there is a biting cold in many places, and we can see the same cold in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as well.”
Visibility is expected to drop significantly as dense fog covers Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The IMD warns that this may lead to difficult driving conditions and potential power line tripping. While the north shivers, parts of the south will see a different story.
There will be clouds in some parts of South India, in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka,” Devendra added, though he has clarified that rain is unlikely for central India.
Looking ahead, global weather patterns are also shifting.
According to Skymet Weather, the current La Nina conditions, which often influence Indian winters, are expected to collapse by early spring 2026. This transition could pave the way for an El Nino return during the monsoon season later this year, potentially impacting precipitation patterns across the subcontinent.
For now, the IMD recommends residents in cold-hit areas to wear multiple layers of woolen clothing and avoid outdoor activities to prevent frostbite.
And the changing weather patterns and stark presence of particulate matter in the air block essential sunlight; people are struggling with the extreme cold. Extremely cold temperatures, particularly for the elderly, children, and individuals with low body fat percentage, are becoming more susceptible to cold-induced diseases.
As a severe cold wave grips Northern India, so does the experience of feeling extremely cold and shivering. With temperatures in Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan plummeting to record lows, the struggle to maintain body heat has become a primary health concern. While reaching for a heavy woolen coat is the instinctive response, remaining warm is as much a biological process as it is a physical one. According to recent meteorological data and health advisories, the human body’s ability to thermoregulate, to maintain a core temperature of approximately 37 degrees celsius, can be significantly compromised during prolonged exposure to the Indian winter’s humid, biting cold.
Indian medical research increasingly suggests that “feeling cold” is often a symptom of poor circulation, insufficient caloric intake, or improper insulation techniques. To help you navigate the remaining weeks of the season, here are six evidence-based hacks to help you stay toastier without relying solely on the thermostat or heater.
6 Hacks to Prevent Feeling Cold During Winters
- Mastering The “Base Layer” Strategy
The common error many Indians make is wearing one exceptionally thick sweater. However, thermodynamics suggest that layering is much more effective. The goal is to create “dead air space” between layers of clothing, which acts as a powerful insulator
A study often cited in Indian textile research highlights that the base layer must be humidity-wicking.
In India, where indoor heating is not universal, sweat trapped against the skin can quickly cool the body down.
Opt for a snug-fitting synthetic or silk base layer, followed by a fleece middle layer (like a pashmina or merino knit) for insulation.
A windproof outer shell for stepping outdoors. This “sandwich” effect traps body heat more efficiently than a single heavy jacket.
- Harness The Power Of Warming Spices
What you eat significantly determines your inner temperature and how cold you feel. Indian clinical studies on “diet-induced thermogenesis” emphasized the role of specific winter spices in maintaining body temperature. A moderate intake of ingredients such as dry ginger (Saunth), black pepper, and cinnamon is not just a flavor enhancer; they can open up narrowed blood vessels due to coldness and improve overall blood flow.
Capsaicin, found in green chillies, and gingerol, in ginger, stimulate a process where the body burns energy to produce heat.
This can be put into daily practice by incorporating “Masala Chai” or ginger-garlic soup into your evening routine.
Additionally, research from the National Institute of Nutrition suggests that consuming complex carbohydrates like Bajra (pearl millet) and Makka (corn) provides a slow-release energy source that keeps the body’s “internal furnace” burning longer than refined flours.
Cold wave conditions prevailed at isolated locations in the national capital on Sunday, with minimum temperatures falling below 4.1°C in some areas.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8°C, 2.6°C above the seasonal average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, issuing a ‘yellow’ warning for cold wave.
According to the IMD, the cold wave is expected to continue on Wednesday.
A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls by 4.5 to 6.5°C below the average temperature.
On Sunday, Safdarjung recorded a low of 4.8°C, Palam 3°C (4.3 notches below the seasonal average), Lodhi Road 4.6°C (1.4 notches above normal), the Ridge 3.7°C (4.4 notches above normal), and Ayanagar 2.9°C (4.2 notches below normal), the IMD data showed.
Relative humidity in the city was recorded at 97% at 8.30 a.m..
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 295, in the “poor” category, at 9 a.m., the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
The weather department has predicted a ‘yellow’ cold wave alert for Sunday, with the maximum temperature expected to settle at 17°C.
For more such information, connect with us today: : www.globalmediaa.com
