Weather Today: IMD forecasts rain, snow and cloudy skies across India on January 1, 2026 with western disturbances affecting the Himalayas, plains and Mumbai.
Rainy streets and cloudy skies mark the start of 2026 as changing weather conditions affect several parts of India (Photo: File)
Weather Update: The beginning of 2026 has dawned, couple with a market change in the weather conditions being witnesses in the entire country of India. According to the India Metrological Department (IMD) an active western disturbance is driving with rains in the Western Himalayas, northwest and unseasonal rain in peninsular India including rains in the city of Mumbai.
The IMD's forecast for January 1 points to widespread weather activity across northern and western India. The department has attributed the change to a western disturbance interacting with cold air masses.
| Region | Weather Forecast | Expected Duration |
| Western Himalayas (J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) | Light to moderate rain and snowfall | Jan 1–2, 2026 |
| Northwest Plains (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) | Isolated to scattered light rain | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Delhi-NCR | Light rain, drizzle or thunderstorm | Jan 1, 2026 |
| West Uttar Pradesh | Light showers at isolated places | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Mumbai and nearby areas | Light rain, cloudy skies | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Central & Adjoining Regions | Mostly cloudy, no heavy rain | Jan 1, 2026 |
The western Himalayan region is set to receive a fresh spell of rain and snowfall. Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are witness light to moderate precipitation through January 2, with heavier spells at isolated locations.
Snowfall in higher reaches could affect road connectivity and tourism related movement. Meanwhile, the adjoining northwest plains are expected to see cloudy skies and occasional showers as moisture from the system spreads southward.
Parts of northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh, may experience intermittent light rain or drizzle. Early morning updates from the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre indicated chances of drizzle, thunderstorms and lightning in Delhi and surrounding districts.
Nearby towns in Haryana and Rajasthan to see brief showers with conditions, combined with low temperatures, could make the cold feel sharper than usual for early January.
Mumbai started the year 2026 on a rainy note and partially cloudy conditions accompanied the New Year dawn in the city and results showed localized showers in areas such as Lower Parel and Walkeshwar, bringing some respite in terms of pollution and surprising people in general by the rains in January when the season is otherwise dry.
However, the IMD stated that the rainy conditions in the city were caused by moisture rich winds blowing from the Arabian Sea and that light rains may continue in intervals before decreasing.
