The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the coldest days during winter 2025-26 after so many years. Due to La Niña, citizens can face unusual winter days. La Niña is a powerful climate phenomenon that disrupts weather patterns worldwide.
People in Delhi and NCR (Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad) could be the coldest and longest in 2025-26, IMD said. According to the weather office, the minimum temperatures are expected to drop by 2-3 degrees at times.
Expected temperature in 2025-26
The IMD estimates that cold wave events this year from December to January could last for an average of 15–20 days, compared to a typical 6–8 days. According to the IMD, the average minimum temperature in Delhi and NCR could drop by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius between December 2025 and January 2026. It could even drop to near zero on some days.
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Reasons for the coldest winter in a decade or more
Western Disturbance
Due to frequent western disturbances, rain and icy winds will reach Delhi.
Fog blankets
From December to January, dense fog will make the winter even more intense, multiplying the cold in the mornings and nights.
La Nina
Meteorologists say that global weather patterns will prolong Delhi’s winter. This year, La Niña conditions may last longer.
Meanwhile, India reported three cloudbursts this week, including two in Uttarakhand and one in Himachal Pradesh.
Chamoli, Uttarakhand
A few people have been reported missing after a cloudburst hit Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Atleast six houses were washed away as a sudden downpour late Wednesday night caused heavy debris flow in Nanda Nagar. Read more
Cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi
In the Mandi region of Himachal Pradesh, an overnight cloudburst buried homes and shops beneath debris. The parked buses of the state-run Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) have been washed away. The flood drowned the bus terminal and market in Dharampur town and swept away cars as well. Read more
Also Read- Jammu & Kashmir Weather Update: Rains likely for 2-3 days; Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes from September 17
