Lohri bonfire to not ease winter chill as dense fog likely to engulf Chandigarh

Chandigarh witnessed a sharp dip in temperatures on Monday night as the mercury dropped to 3.3 degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest nights of the winter season so far.

According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature remained four degrees below normal, intensifying the winter chill across the city.

Dense fog further aggravated conditions, reducing visibility and causing discomfort to commuters during early morning hours.

The day temperature also remained subdued, with the maximum settling at 14.3 degrees Celsius, nearly four degrees below the seasonal average. High humidity levels, touching 95 per cent in the morning, contributed to the lingering cold throughout the day. Dense fog was observed at several places in and around Chandigarh, severely affecting road traffic.

Weather officials have issued a warning for dense to very dense fog at isolated places over Chandigarh on January 13. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are also likely during this period. The department has cautioned residents to take necessary precautions, especially during early morning and late night hours.

Significantly, Tuesday night, January 13, which coincides with Lohri celebrations — is expected to be colder. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 3 degrees Celsius, with dense fog conditions persisting.

Fog is expected to intensify during late night and early morning hours, potentially affecting travel plans.

The forecast for the next few days indicates that cold conditions will continue in Chandigarh. On January 13, the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 15 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may dip to 3 degrees. On January 14, the city is likely to experience partly cloudy skies with dense fog, with day temperature around 14 degrees and night temperature close to 4 degrees.

From January 15 onwards, a slight improvement in night temperatures is anticipated. The minimum temperature is expected to gradually rise to around 6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum may hover between 15 and 16 degrees Celsius. However, the sky is likely to remain mostly cloudy with dense fog continuing during morning and late evening hours.

Meteorologists have said that there will be no major change in minimum temperature for the next three days, followed by a gradual rise of 2 to 4 degrees thereafter. Despite the slight warming trend later in the week, foggy conditions are expected to persist, especially during early mornings.

The weather department had advised residents to drive cautiously, use fog lights, and avoid unnecessary travel during low visibility hours.

Health experts have also urged people, especially children and the elderly, to stay indoors during peak cold hours and wear adequate winter clothing to avoid cold-related ailments.