Punjab battles dense fog with cold wave; rain likely on these two days

January 14, 2026

The cold has intensified in Punjab and Chandigarh due to icy winds blowing from the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. For the first time this season, zero-degree Celsius temperature was recorded in Nawanshahr. Meanwhile, dense fog has enveloped Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Ludhiana, leading to zero visibility in many areas.

The minimum temperature is 2.5 degrees Celsius below normal, and the maximum temperature is 6.3 degrees Celsius below normal. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for a cold wave today. This situation is expected to continue. Light rain is possible in some areas on January 18th and 19th. However, schools in Punjab are reopening today.

Severe Cold Wave Expected in 6 Districts
According to the Meteorological Department, dense to very dense fog is likely today (Wednesday) in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, and Ludhiana. A cold wave to severe cold wave is expected in Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, and Bathinda.

Dense fog is likely in some areas of Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Malerkotla. A cold wave may occur in some parts of Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Mansa. The weather is expected to remain dry.

However, on Tuesday, visibility was recorded at zero in Amritsar, 20 meters in Ludhiana, 500 meters in Bathinda, 50 meters in Faridkot, and 40 meters in Patiala. Cold day conditions were recorded in Ludhiana and Patiala, and dense fog in Gurdaspur.

Rain Expected on January 18th and 19th
According to Surender Pal, Director of the Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, there will be no significant change in minimum temperatures for the next 48 hours. The temperature is expected to rise gradually by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. A new Western Disturbance may affect the Western Himalayan region from the night of January 15th.

This could lead to a change in weather patterns in the region. The weather will remain pleasant in the mountains on January 16th and 17th. Light rain is possible in some parts of the state on the 18th and 19th. Following this, sunshine is expected to return.