Dense fog made a widespread return across large parts of north India on Saturday following unseasonal rainfall that caused temperatures to drop sharply, bringing back wintry conditions and disrupting transport services across several states. Poor visibility during early morning and late-night hours affected road, rail and air travel, while cold winds kept daytime temperatures lower than usual across much of the region.
Punjab and the northern districts of Rajasthan were among the worst affected, with thick fog settling over highways and rural stretches. Several parts of Haryana also reported foggy conditions, leading to slower traffic movement and delays on key transport corridors. Weather officials said the combination of residual moisture from Friday’s rainfall and prevailing north-westerly winds created ideal conditions for fog formation.
Cold weather continued to dominate much of north India as dry winds prevented any significant daytime warming. In many areas, the chill extended well into daylight hours, forcing residents to rely on additional layers and heating measures.
Fog Spreads Across Indo-Gangetic Plains
Weather expert Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak and weather vlogger for Kisan Tak, said fog had also spread into parts of Delhi-NCR, central Uttar Pradesh, and northern Madhya Pradesh. While visibility in these areas showed marginal improvement compared to earlier in the week, cold conditions persisted.
Across the broader Indo-Gangetic plains—including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Chhattisgarh—daytime temperatures rose slightly but remained below seasonal averages. Tripathi noted that the modest increase did little to ease the winter chill, particularly during morning and evening hours.
Meteorologists explained that lingering moisture combined with weak sunlight and low wind speeds contributed to the persistence of fog, especially in low-lying and agricultural regions.
Southern India Braces for Rainfall Shift
In contrast to the cold and foggy conditions in the north, southern India is preparing for a change in weather patterns. A developing system over the southern peninsula is expected to bring heavy rainfall to coastal Tamil Nadu over the coming days.
Light to moderate, scattered rainfall is likely over interior Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and south interior Karnataka, according to weather experts. While these showers are expected to provide relief from dry conditions, authorities have advised residents to remain alert for possible waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Parts of Maharashtra may also experience increased cloud cover, though widespread rainfall is not anticipated. Districts including Pune, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur, Jalna, Beed, and Hingoli are likely to see cloudy skies through the weekend.
Cloud bands are also expected to extend over eastern and central India, covering areas such as Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Raipur, Jabalpur, Rewa, Singrauli, and Varanasi. However, Tripathi clarified that these formations are unlikely to trigger significant weather activity or cause major fluctuations in temperature.
Fog Disrupts Air Travel in Delhi
The foggy conditions had a noticeable impact on air travel in the national capital. Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport and Hindon Airport in Delhi faced intermittent disruptions due to fluctuating visibility levels.
Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory at 6:35 a.m., urging travellers to check real-time winter travel updates before heading to the airport. The advisory warned that delays could occur despite runway operations continuing under low-visibility procedures.
Budget carrier IndiGo said flight movements at both airports could remain slower than usual as visibility conditions continued to evolve. The airline stated that ground teams were prioritising safety and compliance with visibility requirements.
IndiGo advised passengers to monitor their flight status regularly and said affected travellers could opt for rebooking or refunds. Airport staff were deployed across terminals to assist passengers, and airlines expressed hope that schedules would stabilise gradually as weather conditions improved.
Advisory for Commuters and Farmers
Authorities also issued advisories for road users in fog-prone areas, urging motorists to avoid high speeds during early morning hours and to use fog lights where necessary. Rail passengers were warned of possible delays on select routes due to reduced visibility.
In southern states, residents and farmers were advised to remain alert for rain-related disruptions, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas. Agricultural experts said the expected rainfall could benefit certain crops but cautioned against potential damage if showers turn intense.
A Mixed Weather Pattern Nationwide
Overall, Saturday presented a mixed weather scenario across India. While dense fog and cold winds dominated the northern and central regions, rain-related activity remained largely confined to southern coastal areas.
Meteorologists said such contrasting conditions are typical during winter transition phases, especially when multiple weather systems influence different parts of the country simultaneously. The coming days will determine whether fog intensity eases in the north or continues to disrupt daily life
