Srinagar began the day near -8°C, with hazy sunshine but intense cold, while higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir have seen even lower night temperatures in recent days.
IMD’s Srinagar Meteorological Centre has issued a local forecast indicating mainly clear skies and maximum and minimum temperatures around 11°C and -2°C for the city in the upcoming 24 hours, keeping conditions firmly in the harsh winter window known locally as Chillai Kalan.
Recent IMD and media reports also highlight a rainfall and snowfall deficit across J&K so far this season, even as the mercury stays well below normal in many hill stations.
Delhi-NCR and the Indo-Gangetic plain
In Delhi, the morning started near 8°C with hazy sunshine and pockets of dense fog, following several days of what IMD classifies as “cold day” conditions.
All-India bulletins from IMD point to:
- Cold wave and cold day conditions over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and adjoining states between 8–10 January.
- Dense to very dense fog over northwest, central and east India during early mornings, affecting road, rail and air travel.
In practical terms, this means daytime temperatures in parts of north India remaining 4–6°C below normal, with chilly winds and limited sunshine.
West and South India: mild mornings, warm afternoons
While the north shivers, west and south India are seeing relatively comfortable conditions:
- Mumbai: Around 22°C in the morning, with clear skies and afternoon highs forecast near 28°C.
- Ahmedabad: Started close to 15°C, expected to warm to the high 20s by afternoon.
- Hyderabad: Near 16°C early in the day, climbing to about 26–27°C later.
- Bengaluru: Around 15–17°C this morning, with maximum temperatures likely in the 25–27°C band.
- Chennai: Already 25°C by 9 am, with hazy sunshine and highs around 30°C.
IMD’s national forecast indicates that minimum temperatures in northwest India are likely to remain 2–3°C below normal till at least 9 January, while central and southern parts stay closer to seasonal averages.
Official Statements
IMD national bulletin
In its latest all-India weather bulletin, the India Meteorological Department has:
- Warned of cold wave conditions over isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha between 8–12 January 2026.
- Flagged dense to very dense fog over north-west, central and east India from 8–10 January, advising caution for travellers.
- Highlighted ground frost risk in parts of Uttarakhand and the north-east on select days.
IMD regional & media updates
Regional IMD centres and media reports further note that:
- Minimum temperatures across parts of Jammu–Kashmir–Ladakh and the western Himalayas are well below freezing at many locations.
- Several pockets of the Indo-Gangetic plain (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) are seeing morning lows in the 3–8°C range, with day-time cold persisting.
- States such as Punjab and Haryana have extended school winter vacations in some districts due to health and safety concerns for children.
Why This Matters
Health and daily life
For residents in north and central India, today’s conditions mean:
- Higher risk of cold-related illnesses such as flu, respiratory irritation and aggravation of existing heart and lung problems.
- IMD advisories explicitly urge people to avoid unnecessary early-morning and late-night exposure, dress in warm layers and pay special attention to children and the elderly.
Travel, flights and exams
Dense fog and poor visibility can:
- Disrupt road traffic, train schedules and flights, especially in and out of major hubs like Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur and Kolkata.
- Affect students and professionals commuting early, particularly when combined with delays and low visibility on highways.
Travellers are strongly advised to check airline, rail and IMD updates before setting out, and to build extra buffer time into journeys over the next few days.
Local context for Kashmir: Chillai Kalan
In the Kashmir Valley, the current cold spell falls in the traditional Chillai Kalan period—40 days of intense winter from 21 December to 29 January, when sub-zero nights, frozen water bodies and persistent chill are common.
For residents and tourists in Srinagar and nearby hill stations, this means:
- Ongoing freezing nights and very cold mornings.
- Slippery roads and occasional disruption to water supply where pipes are exposed.
- Beautiful but challenging conditions on lakes and in snow-prone areas, requiring appropriate winter gear.
FAQs
A: Today morning (8 January 2026), Srinagar was near -8°C with hazy sunshine, and temperatures are expected to stay close to freezing through the day, according to live forecasts.
A: Delhi saw temperatures around 8°C at about 9 am under hazy sunshine, with IMD warning of ongoing cold day and dense fog conditions in and around the capital over the next couple of days.
A:
Mumbai: Around 22°C this morning, likely to rise to about 28°C later.
Chennai: Roughly 25°C by 9 am, with highs near 30°C.
Hyderabad: About 16°C in the morning, warming to 26–27°C in the afternoon.
Overall, west and south India are seeing mild mornings and warm afternoons.
A: Temperatures given here are based on live model/observational data around 9 am and IMD forecasts for the next 24 hours. Actual readings can change hour to hour with sunshine, clouds and local winds. For the very latest numbers in your exact locality, always cross-check with IMD’s Mausam app or a trusted weather app.
Transparency & Ethics
Researched with AI assistance; fact-checked and edited by Kitto News editors.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for official weather alerts. Weather can change quickly. Readers should verify local conditions and follow advisories from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and local authorities before travelling or planning outdoor activities.
Disclaimer: Temperature values are based on live forecast and observational data available at the time of writing (morning of 8 January 2026) and may differ slightly from real-time readings in your exact neighbourhood.
