Delhi-NCR remained shrouded in dense fog on Friday, accompanied by a dip in minimum temperatures across the region. The national capital encountered severe cold day conditions on Thursday, marked by a significant 6-degree Celsius drop in temperatures, as reported by the Safdarjung weather station.

Anticipated to persist until January 6, dense to very dense fog conditions are expected in several parts of north India, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and East Rajasthan, particularly during night and morning hours. Isolated pockets may continue to experience these conditions on January 7, followed by scattered areas facing dense fog for the subsequent two days.

Thursday saw cold day to severe cold day conditions in numerous locations across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Rajasthan, and West Madhya Pradesh. Isolated pockets in East Rajasthan and East Madhya Pradesh also witnessed these extreme weather conditions.

In the national capital, the mercury touched a maximum of 12.5 degrees Celsius, a significant 6.8 degrees below the normal mark, as recorded at the Safdarjung observatory on Thursday.

The weather office forecasts a 2-4 degree Celsius rise in both minimum and maximum temperatures from Sunday onwards, influenced by warm and moist southwesterly winds.

Additionally, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, southern Haryana, and southern Uttar Pradesh are expected to receive light to very light rainfall early next week.

Looking ahead, the weather department anticipates a gradual increase in minimum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius over East India in the first half of the week.

While there is a high probability of cold wave conditions occurring in isolated pockets across Punjab, Haryana, and North Rajasthan, with a moderate likelihood in Uttar Pradesh, other parts of Rajasthan, and North Madhya Pradesh, these conditions are expected primarily during the initial half of the week.