Cold New Year Across India: Mumbai Drenched, Kashmir Snowbound, North India Shivers

A day after Delhi recorded its coldest December day in six years, large parts of North India woke up to biting cold conditions on the first day of 2026. Snowfall covered higher reaches of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, thunderstorms lashed parts of Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR continued to shiver under an intense cold wave.

Meanwhile, the New Year began on a wet note for Mumbai, with several areas of the financial capital witnessing heavy rainfall—an unusual start to January for the city.

Delhi Braces for Colder Days Ahead

Strong surface easterly winds over northwest India triggered thunderstorm activity in northwest Rajasthan, which is expected to move towards Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and punjab by late afternoon, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Delhi, already grappling with a thick blanket of pollution and “very poor” air quality, is likely to witness a further dip in temperatures. The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 14.2°C on December 31, making it the coldest December day in six years. The last time Delhi saw such low daytime temperatures was on December 31, 2019, when the maximum dropped to 9.4°C.

The IMD has warned that cold northerly winds from the Himalayan region may push minimum temperatures even lower from January 3 onward.

Snowfall Blankets Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh

Fresh snowfall was reported from higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, including Rohtang Pass in Kullu district and parts of Lahaul and Spiti. While popular tourist destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kasauli, and Dalhousie saw heavy tourist footfall for New Year celebrations, snowfall was largely limited to higher altitudes.

The IMD has forecast light rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh over the next two days, raising hopes among tourists and locals alike.

In Jammu and Kashmir, fresh snow covered well-known destinations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Gurez amid ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’—the 40-day harshest phase of winter marked by freezing temperatures.

Despite the snowfall, meteorological officials noted that Kashmir continues to experience a relatively warmer winter, with temperatures remaining above the seasonal average in many areas.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 2.3°C, Pahalgam dipped to -2°C, while Gulmarg was the coldest in the region at -3°C.

Unusual Cold Grips Eastern India

Eastern India also experienced unseasonably cold conditions. Kolkata recorded minimum temperatures below 10°C, a rarity for the city, with the IMD predicting that the cold spell will persist over the coming week.

Darjeeling emerged as one of the coldest places in the region, registering a low of 3.4°C. Light rain or snowfall is expected in the higher reaches of Darjeeling in the coming days.

Light rainfall is also likely over the next three days in sub-Himalayan districts, including Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar.

As India steps into 2026, the stark contrast in weather—from rain-soaked Mumbai to snow-clad Kashmir—highlights a dramatic and chilly start to the New Year.