Plains Freeze as Hills Stay Warmer: Delhi-Gurgaon Colder Than Shimla
Delhi and Gurgaon record extreme cold as IMD explains why plains are colder than hill stations.
An intense cold wave has gripped the National Capital Region, with Gurugram recording a historic low of 0.6°C on January 12, 2026—the coldest temperature in nearly five decades—and Delhi dipping to 3°C on Tuesday morning. These readings have made the plains significantly colder than several Himalayan hill stations, including Shimla at 8.8°C, Mussoorie at 7.7°C, and other locations such as Kangra, Palampur, Mukteshwar, and Tehri, all hovering between 3°C and 4.1°C.
The unusual phenomenon, where lowland areas are experiencing more severe cold than higher-altitude hill stations, stems from contrasting weather patterns across the region. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, an active western disturbance has brought cloud cover over the higher reaches of the Himalayas. This blanket of clouds acts as an insulator, trapping heat and preventing sharp nighttime temperature drops. As a result, minimum temperatures in the hills have remained comparatively higher.
In contrast, the plains of northwest India, including Delhi, Gurugram, Hisar, Amritsar, Churu, Karnal, and Meerut, have seen clear skies and persistent cold northwesterly winds. Under these conditions, strong radiative cooling occurs at night, allowing heat to escape rapidly into the atmosphere and driving temperatures to near-freezing or below. The absence of cloud cover, combined with an exceptionally dry winter—northwest India recorded an 84.8 percent rainfall deficit in December and 84 percent in the first ten days of January—has left the region without significant snowfall in the hills, further intensifying the cold snap on the plains.
Also Read: Delhi AQI Remains Very Poor, Similar Conditions Likely Till December 19
The extreme chill has left visible impacts across Gurugram and its surrounding areas, with thick frost (pala) blanketing crops, grasslands, and vehicle windshields on Monday morning. Residents reported dense fog reducing visibility on elevated roads, forcing slow and cautious driving. Commuters described numb feet despite heavy footwear and challenging travel conditions due to poor visibility and icy surfaces.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for cold wave to severe cold wave conditions, dense fog, and ground frost across Haryana, Delhi, and adjoining states, with the warning extended through January 13. Health authorities have cautioned vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children, about risks of frostbite, flu, and worsened respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Motorists have been advised to exercise extra caution during late-night and early-morning hours due to reduced visibility and increased accident potential.
While the sharpest drop was recorded on Monday, minimum temperatures are expected to remain abnormally low through Tuesday and the next few days, with no significant change anticipated over northwest India for the next three days. A gradual rise of 2 to 4°C is likely thereafter. Meteorologists attribute the prolonged spell to a combination of western disturbances, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over north Haryana, and strong westerly winds aloft. Relief may arrive from January 15 onward with the approach of a fresh western disturbance affecting the western Himalayas, potentially bringing cloud cover and milder conditions to the region.
Also Read: Bengaluru Records 14.5°C as Cold Spell Persists, IMD Predicts Similar Conditions
