North India Weather Alert: Dense Fog And Cold Day Conditions Grip UP And Bihar, Schools Change Timings

A severe cold wave combined with dense fog has disrupted life in large parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, prompting weather alerts and changes in school timings in several districts. Minimum temperatures have dropped to around 9°C in cities like Varanasi and Patna, while places such as Muzaffarpur are recording maximums as low as 13.2°C, creating intense cold day conditions across the region.

Orange Alert For Dense Fog In Bihar And East UP

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for dense to very dense fog and cold day conditions over Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh.
Key points from the alert:

22 districts of Bihar are under orange alert for dense fog and cold day conditions.

Dense fog is expected to persist over East UP and Bihar till January 1, 2026, keeping visibility low during early morning and night hours.

Daytime temperatures are staying well below normal due to continuous fog cover and icy north‑westerly winds.

In Gaya, visibility reportedly dropped to below 50 metres, while Patna remained wrapped in thick fog during morning hours, severely affecting road and rail traffic.

Uttar Pradesh Weather: Schools Shut Or Timing Changed

In Uttar Pradesh, dense fog and sharp cold continue to affect both East and West UP. The IMD expects:

• West UP to remain under dense fog at least till December 31.
• East UP to see dense fog conditions until January 1, 2026.

Cities like Varanasi are recording minimum temperatures around 9°C and maximums near 17°C, but high humidity and light winds are making it feel colder than the actual readings.

Due to the harsh conditions, district administrations have taken action for school safety:

In Kanpur, schools up to Class 12 have been closed temporarily till January 1 because of the cold wave and poor visibility in the mornings.

In Varanasi, school timings have been shifted to 10:00 am – 3:00 pm so that students avoid the coldest and foggiest hours.

Similar timing changes are being reported from other districts including Bareilly, where authorities are trying to balance academic schedules with student safety.

Parents have been advised to ensure children wear multiple layers, woollens, caps and gloves while travelling, even after revised timings.

Bihar Weather: Cold Day Conditions Deepen

Bihar is in the middle of a prolonged cold spell, with the Meteorological Centre in Patna warning that there will be no immediate relief from the cold wave.
Major observations from the state:

Muzaffarpur recorded a maximum temperature of just 13.2°C, only slightly higher than its minimum, leading to a continuous feeling of cold throughout the day.

In Patna, minimum temperatures are expected to stay in the 8–10°C range for the next few days, while daytime temperatures remain below normal due to fog and cold winds.

North‑westerly winds at speeds of around 11–15 km/h are further enhancing the chill and keeping the “real feel” temperature low.

With dense fog and cold winds combining, IMD has warned of persistent cold day to severe cold day conditions in several districts of Bihar.

Dense Fog Disrupts Transport And Daily Life

The dense fog has had a serious impact on transport and daily life across UP and Bihar:

Visibility has fallen sharply in multiple cities, with some areas reporting less than 50 metres in the early morning.

Train operations, especially long‑distance routes passing through Gaya, Patna, Varanasi and other junctions, are experiencing delays due to poor visibility and safety concerns.

Road traffic is moving slowly as drivers are forced to use fog lights and hazard signals; accidents risk increases when visibility fluctuates suddenly.

Residents have been advised to avoid late‑night and early‑morning travel unless absolutely necessary and to follow traffic advisories strictly.

IMD Forecast: When Will The Cold Wave Ease?

According to IMD’s latest forecast for North India:

• Dense fog is likely to continue over East UP and Bihar till January 1, 2026.
• A fresh Western Disturbance around December 30 may bring isolated light rain to parts of West UP on or around December 31, which could gradually modify the current pattern.

Minimum temperatures over the plains of North India may remain steady or dip slightly over the next few days, and could rise by 2–3°C thereafter.

However, IMD has clearly indicated that no major or immediate relief from the cold wave is expected for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar before the first week of January.

Health And Safety Advisory For Residents

Given the prevailing cold wave and fog conditions, health experts and authorities recommend:

• Wearing multiple layers of warm clothing, including caps, mufflers and gloves, especially for children and elderly people.
• Avoiding long exposure to cold air, particularly in early morning and late evening hours.

Using fog lights, driving slowly and maintaining distance between vehicles when travelling in low visibility.

Taking special care of people with asthma, bronchitis, heart disease and other chronic conditions, as cold and fog can worsen respiratory and cardiac problems.

Local administrations in several districts are also arranging bonfires and shelters for the homeless and daily wage workers to provide some relief from the biting cold.

Key Pointers

For readers following North India weather updates, the key takeaways are:

Cold day conditions and dense fog will continue over UP and Bihar till at least January 1, 2026.

Schools in Kanpur are shut and timings in cities like Varanasi have been changed due to the cold wave.

22 districts in Bihar are under orange alert, with cities such as Muzaffarpur, Patna and Gaya facing severe cold and poor visibility.

Residents are advised to stay updated through IMD bulletins and local administration notices, and to plan travel and outdoor activities carefully until the dense fog and cold wave begin to ease.