Harshest weather conditions prevail in Jammu and Kahsmir but Christmas remained dry. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast light snowfall in some areas in the coming weekend for J&K. Meanwhilerich9, snowfall led to closure of 226 roads in Himachal Pradesh.
Furthermore, Jharkhand may witness rain in the upcoming days which is expected to bring the temperature further down. Over in Delhi, polluted air continues to engulf the capital with an AQI reading of 340 on Thursday morning.
Cold weather conditions persisted in states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi: Low Visibility Leads To 18 Train Cancellations; AQI Recorded In 'Very Poor' CategoryThe Central Pollution Control Board's data revealed that the air quality in Delhi was recorded in the "very poor" category on Thursday, with an AQI reading of 385 at 12 pm. Meanwhile the minimum temperature was recorded at 8.2 degrees Celsius in the national capital.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a thunderstorm accompanied by rain on Friday and Saturday, and issued a "yellow alert", predicting very dense fog, on Sunday.
Delhi also experiences low visibility on Thursday morning leading to cancellation of 18 trains. But all flights have been operating smoothly with low visibility procedures being implemented at Delhi Airport.
Jammu and Kashmir: Met Office Predicts Light Snowfall On Friday & SaturdayBoth the hills and plains of Jammu and Kashmir reeled under cold wave conditions as the temperature settled several degrees below the freezing point on Wednesday.
The weather officials told PTI that there is a possibility of light snowfall over the higher reaches on Friday and Saturday as a Western Disturbance is set to impact the region.
Water supply lines were frozen as thin layer of ice covered several water bodies including Srinagar's Dal Lake. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, slightly up from the previous night's minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, the meteorological department said.
Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius while Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius.
Other areas like Qazigund, Kupwara and Kokernag also recorded minus temperatures in the ongoing Chillai Kalan.
Due to the influence of an active Western Disturbance, there is a possibility of light snowfall over the higher reaches towards late afternoon of Friday till the forenoon the next day, the Met Office said.
While the weather would stay mainly dry on December 29, 30, and 31, light snowfall is possible at isolated places in Kashmir from January 1-4.
During the 40 days of Chillai-Kalan, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.
Chen Benhai gave the hosts the lead with a fine field goal in the first quarter following an enterprising team move. But the highlight of the match was Chao Jieming's sensational solo effort in the second quarter.
Ahmad Nadeem, standing right on the left edge of the goal mouth, found the ball from inside the D just in the sixth minute of the opening whistle. He was in the perfect position to execute a slight deflection into the Indian goal and that is what he did to push Pakistan ahead in the match.
Jharkhand: IMD Forecasts Light Rain On Saturday, May Drop TemperatureIMD forcasting for the state said that the temperature is likely to drop. The minimum temperature in the state is at present hovering between 11 degrees and 18 degrees Celsius.
The Ranchi Meteorological Centre said that light rain is likely at some places in west and adjoining northern Jharkhand on Saturday and southwest parts of the state on Sunday.
Abhishek Anand, the in-charge of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre said, "The minimum temperature is above the normal in most parts of the state due to the partial cloudy weather. There is a possibility of light rain in west and adjoining northern parts on December 28."
He said the reason behind the forecast was a western disturbance in northwest India and the influx of moisture from the Bay of Bengal.
He said the mercury will dip from December 29 with the sky getting clearer.
Gumla was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius. Chatra was at 11.6 degrees Celsius, while state capital Ranchi recorded 12.6 degrees Celsius, which was 3.3 notches above the normal.
Himachal Pradesh: 226 Roads Closed Due To SnowfallSnowfall in Himachal has led to closure of 226 roads, including three national highways, officials said.
People shivered under piercing cold wave conditions as minimum temperatures dropped by a few notches in Jot, which received 10 cm of snow in the past 24 hours.
According to the state emergency operation centre, a maximum of 123 roads were closed in Shimla district, 36 in Lahaul and Spiti and 25 in Kullu.
Additionally, 173 transformers were disrupted, affecting power supply across the state.
The hopes of locals and tourists to experience a white Christmas in the Queen of Hills, Shimla, were dashed as the city was greeted by bright sunshine on Wednesday morning.
The Met office has predicted rain and snow at isolated places in some parts of the state, particularly in Shimla, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with precipitation expected to peak on Saturday.
Other North Indian StatesMany areas of Rajasthan were enveloped with dense fog as cold conditions persisted in the state on Wednesday.
In the last 24 hours, light rain occurred at one place in eastern Rajasthan while fog and dense fog prevailed at many places. A 'cold day' was recorded at some places in western Rajasthan.
Cold weather conditions persisted in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday with Faridkot recording the lowest minimum temperature at 4.2 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department.
In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius, Amritsar 5.7 degrees Celsius and Gurdaspur 5.5 degrees Celsius.
casino slot gamesIn Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest place with a minimum temperature of 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 7.4 degrees Celsius.
Weather across Uttar Pradesh cleared up on Wednesday afternoon following two days of rain caused by western disturbances, MeT officials said.
The light drizzle on Monday and Tuesday had resulted in fog and noticeable drop in temperatures, further intensifying the cold conditions over the past 48 hours.
According to the India Meteorological Department forecastrich9, the weather is expected to remain clear on Thursday before rains resume from December 27.