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Lohri bonfire to not ease winter chill as dense fog likely to engulf Chandigarh

Forecast for the next few days indicates that cold conditions will continue

3 min readChandigarhJan 13, 2026 09:01 AM IST

Dense fog further aggravated conditions, reducing visibility and causing discomfort to commuters during early morning hours. (ANI)

Chandigarh witnessed a sharp dip in temperatures on Monday night as the mercury dropped to 3.3 degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest nights of the winter season so far.

According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature remained four degrees below normal, intensifying the winter chill across the city.

Dense fog further aggravated conditions, reducing visibility and causing discomfort to commuters during early morning hours.

The day temperature also remained subdued, with the maximum settling at 14.3 degrees Celsius, nearly four degrees below the seasonal average. High humidity levels, touching 95 per cent in the morning, contributed to the lingering cold throughout the day. Dense fog was observed at several places in and around Chandigarh, severely affecting road traffic.

Also read | Winter blues to continue as IMD forecasts cold wave, dense fog across Haryana, Punjab

Weather officials have issued a warning for dense to very dense fog at isolated places over Chandigarh on January 13. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are also likely during this period. The department has cautioned residents to take necessary precautions, especially during early morning and late night hours.

Significantly, Tuesday night, January 13, which coincides with Lohri celebrations — is expected to be colder. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 3 degrees Celsius, with dense fog conditions persisting.

Fog is expected to intensify during late night and early morning hours, potentially affecting travel plans.

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The forecast for the next few days indicates that cold conditions will continue in Chandigarh. On January 13, the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 15 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may dip to 3 degrees. On January 14, the city is likely to experience partly cloudy skies with dense fog, with day temperature around 14 degrees and night temperature close to 4 degrees.

Also read | Why dense fog is lingering over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh for so long, even during the day

From January 15 onwards, a slight improvement in night temperatures is anticipated. The minimum temperature is expected to gradually rise to around 6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum may hover between 15 and 16 degrees Celsius. However, the sky is likely to remain mostly cloudy with dense fog continuing during morning and late evening hours.

Meteorologists have said that there will be no major change in minimum temperature for the next three days, followed by a gradual rise of 2 to 4 degrees thereafter. Despite the slight warming trend later in the week, foggy conditions are expected to persist, especially during early mornings.

The weather department had advised residents to drive cautiously, use fog lights, and avoid unnecessary travel during low visibility hours.

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Health experts have also urged people, especially children and the elderly, to stay indoors during peak cold hours and wear adequate winter clothing to avoid cold-related ailments.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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