The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday has issued a warning of a further fall in minimum temperatures by 3-5 degrees over the next 24 hours, predicting a sharp dip in temperatures over the weekend in northwest India.
The warning comes after the upper reaches of the country received the season’s first spell of heavy snowfall, triggering a cold wave–like situation across the plains on Friday.
Light to moderate rain and widespread snowfall were reported across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while isolated snowfall was also recorded in parts of Uttarakhand for the first time this winter.
Several hill stations, including Shimla, Manali, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Kufri, witnessed fresh snow between Thursday night and Friday morning. The IMD said the ongoing spell is likely to reduce the significant rainfall deficit seen so far this winter in northwest India.
While weather conditions are expected to improve from Saturday, another intense western disturbance is forecast between January 26 and 28, which may again bring rain and snowfall to the western Himalayan region.
 on Friday has issued a warning of a further fall in minimum temperatures by 3-5 degrees.){kind=link}