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Minimum drops of 2.8 °C in Chandigarh | No Lohri respite for Tricity as temperatures dip further

Dense to very dense fog seen during early morning hours, drastically reducing visibility on major roads and highways

3 min readChandigarhJan 14, 2026 08:39 AM IST

Artisans working in a factory using bonfires for warmth amid cold weather in Jalandhar. (ANI Photo)

The day began under a thick blanket of dense fog across the Tricity on Tuesday, setting the tone for an intense cold spell a day after Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali shivered through a freezing Lohri night. Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius late on Tuesday — coldest of the season — dampening festive cheer despite blazing bonfires in neighbourhoods.

According to the Chandigarh Weather Observatory, the minimum temperature was four degrees below normal, while the maximum temperature during the day settled at 15.2 degrees Celsius, three degrees below the seasonal average. High moisture levels in the air worsened the chill, with maximum relative humidity touching 94 per cent and minimum at 65 per cent, making the cold feel even more piercing.

Also read | Red alert in Punjab and Haryana as northern states battle cold waves, dense fog

Dense to very dense fog engulfed the Tricity during early morning hours, drastically reducing visibility on major roads and highways.

Meteorological officials reported very dense fog not only in Chandigarh but also in several parts of Punjab and Haryana. Commuters were seen driving cautiously, while early morning traffic moved at a slow pace due to poor visibility conditions.

While residents battled the biting cold, air quality also remained a concern. As per data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 4 pm on January 13, Chandigarh recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 234, placing it in the ‘Poor’ category. Panchkula fared even worse with an AQI of 284, also classified as ‘Poor’.

Experts attribute the poor air quality to prevailing winter conditions.

As per weather department experts, low wind speed, temperature inversion and persistent fog trap pollutants close to the surface, leading to a spike in pollution levels, especially during night and early morning hours. The weather department has also advised people, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory ailments, to limit outdoor exposure and wear masks when stepping out.

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Also read | North, central India brace for a sharper cold wave: Temperature likely to fall 2-3°C in two days; dense fog to persist, says IMD

Cold, foggy days ahead

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the continuation of cold and foggy conditions across the Tricity over the next five days.

On January 14 and 15, the region is expected to witness mostly cloudy skies accompanied by dense fog, particularly during morning and night hours. The maximum temperature is likely to range between 14 degrees Celsius and 16 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may hover between 5 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius.

From January 16, a slight improvement in weather conditions is expected. The IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies with dense fog in the mornings. Day temperatures are expected to gradually climb to around 17 degrees Celsius on January 16 and 17, and touch nearly 18 degrees Celsius by January 18. Night temperatures are also likely to rise marginally, settling between 8 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius over the weekend.

However, the weather department has cautioned that fog will continue to pose a challenge for commuters, potentially affecting road, rail and air traffic during early morning hours.

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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