BY PC Bureau
January 23, 2025: Northern India is in the grip of an intense winter spell as active Western Disturbances (WDs) drive widespread snowfall in the Himalayan region, rainfall in the plains, and a biting cold wave across several states. On January 23, 2026, fresh snow blanketed key hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, while Delhi-NCR saw light to moderate rain that intensified the chill even as it brought relief from dry conditions.
With temperatures dipping well below normal in many regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that wintry conditions will persist into the coming week, with another WD expected to arrive by January 26.
Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: Hill Stations Turn White
Himachal Pradesh’s famed hill towns—Shimla, Manali, Kufri, Dalhousie and Dharamshala—woke up to fresh snowfall as the WD strengthened over the region. Light to moderate rain and snow were reported across much of the state, while higher reaches such as Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and upper Kullu witnessed isolated heavy snowfall.
In Shimla, a thin white blanket covered ridges and rooftops, lending the city a postcard-like calm. Temperatures in mid and high hills fell by 2–4°C, deepening the winter chill. Manali and Kufri recorded heavier accumulations, delighting tourists and winter sports enthusiasts, though slippery roads forced temporary closures on high-altitude routes, including stretches near Rohtang Pass.
While the snowfall has revived winter tourism and brought relief to apple orchards after an earlier dry spell, authorities have cautioned against travel in vulnerable areas due to the risk of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.
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Jammu and Kashmir: Heavy Snow in the Valley
Seasons 1st significant snowfall in Shimla,
Manali, Dalhousie and higher on Jan 20-23 driven by strong Western disturbance
Shimla wakes up to a spell of intense snowfall
4 feet snowfall in Shopian & Lolab valley authorities warn of road closures avalanches & gusty winds pic.twitter.com/istpa6VsPH— 💝🌹💖🇮🇳jaggirmRanbir🇮🇳💖🌹💝 (@jaggirm) January 23, 2026
In Jammu and Kashmir, the winter spell intensified, with Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg receiving fresh, sometimes heavy snowfall. The Kashmir Valley saw widespread light to moderate snow, with isolated heavy spells in higher reaches.
Gulmarg, India’s premier skiing destination, turned into a pristine white expanse, drawing adventure seekers despite the harsh cold. Pahalgam and Sonamarg also saw fresh snow, enhancing their scenic appeal but raising avalanche concerns in upper areas. Srinagar experienced freezing conditions, with dense fog and partially frozen water bodies adding to travel disruptions.
While the snowfall is expected to benefit tourism and agriculture after a sluggish start to the season, it has also caused power outages and stranded vehicles in passes such as Zojila, prompting advisories for travellers.
Manali, Himachal getting good snow due to intense western disturbance. Video credit: @shubhamtorres09 sources.
Delhi NCR too getting widespread rain today morning pic.twitter.com/GQ1WPJd4uF— Dr. Vineet Kumar (@vineet_mausam) January 23, 2026
Rain in Delhi-NCR: Cold Deepens After Showers
Delhi and adjoining NCR areas—Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad—received light to moderate rain under the influence of the same WD. The showers pushed daytime temperatures down to around 16–21°C, intensifying the cold after one of the capital’s coldest starts to January in recent years.
The rain helped marginally improve air quality but brought dense fog, leading to delays in flights and trains. Waterlogging in low-lying areas caused traffic snarls, while parts of Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh reported scattered showers and the possibility of isolated hailstorms.
Biting Cold Wave Across Northern States
A severe cold wave continues to sweep large parts of northern India, with minimum temperatures 3–6°C below normal in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Places like Kukumseri in Himachal Pradesh recorded sub-zero temperatures, while dense fog reduced visibility to near zero in cities such as Amritsar and Ambala. Northerly winds from the snow-covered Himalayas have sharpened the chill, increasing health risks for the elderly, children and those exposed to the elements. Ground frost and frozen ponds have been reported in several areas.
IMD Forecast: January 24–30, 2026
The IMD expects the current Western Disturbance to weaken by January 24, bringing a brief lull. However, another system is likely to affect north India from January 26 onwards.
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January 24–25: Mostly dry weather in the plains; isolated light snow in higher Himalayan regions. Dense morning fog likely in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
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January 26–28: Fresh WD to bring light to moderate rain and snow across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, with scattered showers in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states. Isolated heavy snowfall possible in high-altitude areas.
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January 29–30: Precipitation tapers off, but cold wave conditions and fog may persist in parts of the north.
Temperatures may rise slightly midweek before dipping again toward the end of the month.
