A brutal cold wave has intensified across North India today, Monday, January 12, 2026, with the national capital recording its lowest temperature of the season. Biting winds and dense fog have disrupted daily life, leading to widespread school closures and travel delays across several states.
1. Temperature Records: Season’s Coldest Morning
The mercury plummeted across the northern plains, with several weather stations recording significantly below-normal temperatures.
- Delhi’s Deep Freeze: The Safdarjung observatory, which provides the representative data for the capital, recorded a minimum of 3.2°C today. This is nearly four notches below the seasonal average and the coldest morning in the city since 2023.
- Regional Lows: In Rajasthan, Phalodi emerged as the coldest spot in the plains with a staggering 0.4°C. Sub-zero temperatures were also recorded across the hills of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Maximum Temperatures: Even during the day, the sun provided little respite as “Cold Day” conditions kept maximum temperatures between 17°C and 19°C across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
2. Dense Fog and Travel Chaos
A thick blanket of “very dense fog” (visibility below 50 meters) enveloped the Indo-Gangetic plains during the early hours of Monday.
- Zero Visibility: Cities like Amritsar (Punjab) and Sriganganagar (Rajasthan) reported zero visibility at 5:30 AM. Visibility in Delhi and Chandigarh fluctuated between 50 and 200 meters.
- Aviation Impact: Over 300 flights at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed this morning. While CAT III-B landing systems allowed some operations, the backlog caused significant passenger congestion.
- Railways: More than 25 long-distance trains heading to North India were reported running behind schedule by 2 to 6 hours due to the persistent fog.
3. School Closures and Schedule Changes
Recognizing the health risks to children, several state governments have extended winter vacations or modified school timings until January 15, 2026.
| State/Region | Status of Schools |
| Delhi-NCR | All government and private schools closed until Jan 15. |
| Haryana | Statewide closure of all schools (Nursery to Class 12) until Jan 15. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Schools in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Lucknow closed for students up to Class 8 until Jan 15. |
| Punjab | All schools closed until Jan 13; reopening scheduled for Jan 14. |
| Jharkhand | Schools in Ranchi closed for students up to Class 6 until Jan 14. |
4. Health and IMD Warnings
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has maintained an “Orange Alert” for many parts of North India, advising citizens to take precautions against prolonged exposure to the cold.
- Forecast: The cold wave is expected to persist through January 13 and 14, with a marginal rise in temperatures only expected after January 15 due to an approaching Western Disturbance.
- Air Quality: The cold air has trapped pollutants, keeping the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi in the “Very Poor” category (340–380).
- Advisory: Health experts have warned of an increase in respiratory issues and advised senior citizens and children to stay indoors during the early morning and late evening hours.
Current Conditions: National Capital Region
As of 7:07 PM IST on January 12, 2026:
- Temperature: 9°C
- Conditions: Clear (Nighttime)
- Humidity: 79%
- Wind: 2 mph from the East
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