Orange alert issued for fog and cold wave in Punjab, Chandigarh; rain expected from Jan 31
Faridkot records coldest night, with mercury dipping to 3°C | Shift in weather conditions expected from January 31, with rainfall likely in several parts of state
PTC Web Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an Orange Alert for dense fog and cold wave conditions across Punjab and Chandigarh on Thursday, January 30. While mornings and evenings continue to remain biting cold, a shift in weather conditions is expected from Saturday, January 31, with rainfall likely in several parts of the state.
Despite the ongoing chill, day temperatures have inched upward, with the maximum temperature rising by 1.4°C to hover close to the seasonal normal. Night temperatures, however, continue to stay low. Faridkot recorded the coldest night, with the mercury dipping to 3°C.
The IMD has cautioned that cold wave conditions may prevail at isolated places in Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur and Malerkotla. Meanwhile, dense fog is likely to impact visibility during early morning and late evening hours in Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda and Mansa.
Foggy conditions may also be experienced in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Moga, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala and SAS Nagar (Mohali). For now, the weather is expected to remain largely dry.
Meteorological officials said a western disturbance is active over Jammu and nearby regions at higher atmospheric levels, influencing upper-air circulation and altering weather patterns across north India.
Another western disturbance is expected to enter northwest India late on January 30, which could further affect weather conditions in the region over the coming days.
As per the IMD Director, light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places in Punjab on February 1. Scattered light rain may also occur at isolated locations on January 31, February 2, and February 3.
He added that minimum temperatures are likely to remain steady for the next 48 hours, followed by a rise of 3 to 4°C thereafter.