The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi for January 2, 2026 are likely to be in the ranges of 18°C to 20°C and 10°C to 12°C, respectively.
A combination of winter chill, severe air pollution, and dense fog on Wednesday created a dire situation across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 384 at 7 am, placing it in the ‘very poor to severe’ category. Several air quality monitoring stations across the city reported alarming AQI levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 452, while ITO stood at 426, and RK Puram at 411, as reported by news agency ANI.
The New Year begins tomorrow. People across the country are gearing up to welcome 2026 with joy and festivities. However, it is to be noted that rain might spoil your New Year celebrations, as the Meteorological Department has issued alerts for six states.
What will be the weather across the states?
According to the IMD, heavy rain is expected in these six northern states despite the biting cold. Under the influence of Western Disturbance, heavy rain/snow very likely over JammuKashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad during December 30-January 1, 2026.
Dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to continue during night/morning hours over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh till December 31; East Uttar Pradesh till January 1, 2026, with a reduction thereafter. According to the IMD, Cold day to Severe cold day conditions are very likely at some pockets over east Uttar Pradesh till December 30, Bihar 30th, and December 31, 2025.
While a cold wave continues to grip northern and eastern parts of the country, the Meteorological Department has issued an alert for New Year’s Eve. From the evening of December 31, six states—Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir—are expected to experience rainfall and snowfall.
Check Delhi-NCR weather update
- December 31, 2025: Partly cloudy sky. Moderate fog at many places with dense fog at few places during the morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 21°C to 23°C and 7°C to 9°C, respectively. “The minimum temperature will be above normal (0.2°C to 2.2°C) and the maximum temperatures will be above normal (0.6°C to 2.6°C) over Delhi. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from the west direction with wind speed less than 05kmph during the morning hours,” IMD stated. The wind speed will increase becoming less than 10kmph from the northwest direction in the afternoon hours. The wind speed will decrease becoming less than 05kmph from the northeast direction during evening and night.
- January 1, 2026: Partly cloudy sky. Possibility of very light to light rain at isolated places. Shallow to moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 18°C to 20°C and 10°C to 12°C, respectively. The minimum temperatures will be above normal (3.1°C to 5.1°C) and the maximum temperatures will be near normal over Delhi. As per the IMD press release, the predominant surface wind is likely to be from the northeast direction with wind speeds less than 05kmph during the morning hours. The wind speed will increase becoming 10kmph from the northwest direction in the afternoon. The wind speed will remain same with north-northwesterly direction during the evening/night.
- January 2, 2026: Partly cloudy sky. Moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 18°C to 20°C and 10°C to 12°C, respectively. The minimum temperatures will be above normal (3.1°C to 5.1°C) and the maximum temperatures will be near normal over Delhi. “The predominant surface wind is likely to be from the northwest direction with wind speeds gradually increasing reaching up to 10kmph during the morning hours. The wind speed will remain same from the northwest direction in the afternoon and wind speed will remain same from the northwest direction during the evening/night,” IMD stated.
Rainfall and snowfall alert
Isolated to widespread heavy rainfall/snowfall very likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan Muzaffarabad during December 30-January 1, and Isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall/snowfall over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during 30th December-02nd January.
Isolated light to moderate rainfall likely over Punjab Haryana-Chandigarh and on 31st & 01st Jan; West Rajasthan on 31st.
“Isolated Thunderstorm and lightning with gusty wind speed (30-40kmph) likely to prevail over Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 30th December-01st Jan 2026,” IMD added.
