Cold New Year grips India as snow blankets Kashmir, rain drenches Mumbai

India rang in the New Year under starkly contrasting skies on January 1, as large parts of the north shivered under biting cold, the Himalayas turned white with fresh snow, and Mumbai welcomed 2026 with heavy rain.

In north India, the chill deepened a day after Delhi recorded its coldest December day in six years. Snowfall covered higher reaches of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, while thunderstorms brewed over Rajasthan, signalling an unsettled start to the year. At the same time, the financial capital saw widespread showers, marking an unusually wet opening to January.

Delhi-NCR braces for colder days ahead

Strong surface easterly winds sweeping across northwest India triggered thunderstorm activity in Rajasthan, with the system expected to move towards Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Punjab by late afternoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a further dip in temperatures in the national capital, which continues to reel under a blanket of smog and “very poor” air quality.

Delhi ended 2025 on a frigid note, with the maximum temperature plunging to 14.2 degrees Celsius — the city’s coldest December day in six years. The last comparable chill was recorded on December 31, 2019, when the mercury had dropped to 9.4 degrees. According to the IMD, minimum temperatures are likely to fall further from January 3 as cold northerly winds descend from the Himalayan region.

Snowfall paints Kashmir white, Himachal waits

In Kashmir, fresh snowfall during the ongoing Chilla-e-Kalan — the harshest 40-day winter period — transformed tourist favourites such as Gurez, Gulmarg and Sonamarg into snow-laden landscapes. Gulmarg emerged as the coldest spot at minus 3 degrees, while Srinagar and Pahalgam recorded minimum temperatures of 2.3 degrees and minus 2 degrees respectively.

However, despite the snowfall, temperatures remained higher than the seasonal average, as the Valley continued to witness an unusually warm winter, according to MeT officials.

Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also saw mild snowfall in higher reaches of Kullu, including Rohtang Pass, and parts of Lahaul and Spiti. Popular tourist hubs such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kasauli and Dalhousie, however, missed out on snow, much to the disappointment of thousands of visitors. The IMD has forecast light snow and rain in the state over the next two days, raising hopes of a wintry spell.

Kolkata shivers, Mumbai soaks

Adding to the weather drama, Kolkata experienced an unusual cold wave, with minimum temperatures dipping below 10 degrees Celsius. The chill is expected to persist through the week, the weather department said. Darjeeling recorded the lowest temperature at 3.4 degrees, with light rain or snowfall predicted in its upper reaches in the coming days. Sub-Himalayan districts including Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar are also likely to receive light rain.

In sharp contrast, Mumbai began the New Year under cloudy skies and heavy rain, with several parts of the city witnessing showers — a rare wet start to January for the metropolis.

As 2026 dawns, India’s weather tells a tale of extremes, with winter tightening its grip in the north, surprise chills in the east, and unseasonal rain soaking the west.