The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted the persistence of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions over north India for the next three days. Additionally, dense to very dense fog is expected to prevail in the region for the next five days. Meteorologists are separately anticipating the impact of an intense western disturbance around January 26, likely to bring snowfall to the Western Himalayan region.

IMD attributes the severe weather to a lack of active western disturbances, prevailing El Nino conditions, and a strong jet stream. The absence of western disturbances has led to extremely dry conditions over the western Himalayas, normally covered by snow during this period. This winter, there has been an unusual low number of active western disturbances, resulting in 80% rainfall deficiency in December and no precipitation in January.

The cold wave has led to temperatures running 5-8°C below normal over the north Indian plains since December 29, with minimum temperatures dipping below 4°C at several stations in northwest India. Dense fog and low clouds persist over the Himalayan foothills and the Gangetic plains, attributed to high moisture content, lack of strong western disturbances, particulate pollution, and cold day temperatures.

Skymet Weather forecasts relief from the dry winter, predicting intense western disturbance-induced snowfall in hill states from January 26. The forecast includes potential benefits for tourism, apple, and saffron crops in the region.