The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a wet start to 2026 for large parts of the country, with rain and snowfall expected across the western Himalayas and isolated light showers spilling into the plains on 1 January. An active western disturbance will drive the system, bringing fairly widespread precipitation to hill regions and patchy rain to northwest and peninsular India.
India weather forecast and what to expect
The IMD said the western Himalayan region will experience a fresh round of precipitation on 1 January, with rain and snowfall likely over Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Ladakh. Activity is expected to continue into 2 January in several pockets, with most places seeing light to moderate intensity precipitation and a few locations receiving heavier spells.
Neighbouring hill states, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, are forecast to receive scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain or snow between 1 and 2 January. The department warned that travellers in these areas should be prepared for reduced visibility and slippery roads on higher reaches.
The same weather system will push moisture into the plains, producing isolated to scattered light rainfall across parts of northwest India. The IMD has flagged light showers for Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana on 1 January, and similar conditions for west Delhi and west Uttar Pradesh. The Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) in New Delhi issued an early bulletin indicating immediate chances of light rain, drizzle, and brief thunderstorms with lightning at many places in Delhi and the National Capital Region.
Local bulletins named several districts in Haryana — including Kaithal, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Assandh, Safidon and Kharkhoda — and parts of Rajasthan such as Khairtha, Alwar, Viratnagar and Kotpuli as likely to see light rain in the short term. Residents should expect intermittent drizzle and wet roads in these areas during the day.
Further west, Mumbai recorded light showers in neighbourhoods including Lower Parel and Walkeshwar, where wet roads and a reduction in haze were captured in visuals reported by news agencies. The brief rainfall helped lower pollution levels locally, although the IMD did not indicate any prolonged heavy rain for the city.
Authorities have advised motorists to exercise caution on wet surfaces and urged people planning travel in hill regions to check conditions before setting out. While the forecast does not point to widespread severe weather, isolated heavier spells in the mountains could lead to temporary disruptions to road travel and occasional power interruptions in vulnerable areas.
Air travel in northern India can be affected during winter by dense fog and low visibility independent of rainfall. Although the present forecast highlights rain and snow from the western disturbance, passengers are advised to confirm flight status with airlines and airports before departure.
IMD updates and local weather advisories will provide the latest information as the system develops. Residents and visitors across the affected regions should remain alert to short-term bulletins from regional centres and take sensible precautions when outdoors.
Key Takeaways:
- India weather forecast: IMD predicts rain and snow over the western Himalayas and light showers across northwest and peninsular India on 1 January 2026.
- Western disturbances will bring widespread precipitation to Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with heavier spells in isolated pockets.
- Delhi-NCR, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh can expect isolated to scattered light rain or drizzle and short thunderstorms.
- Mumbai saw light showers in localities such as Lower Parel and Walkeshwar, briefly lowering pollution and causing wet roads.
