Gurugram shivers at 0.8°C as cold wave tightens grip on NCR, plains colder than hills

A severe cold wave continued to grip Gurugram on Wednesday, with the city recording a minimum temperature of 0.8°C, keeping it among the coldest locations in north India, official weather data showed.

Residents endured extreme winter conditions just days after Gurugram touched 0.6°C, its lowest January temperature in nearly five decades. The recent spell has made the city colder than several Himalayan hill stations, underscoring the intensity of the cold wave across the plains.

Data from India Meteorological Department shows that Gurugram has dipped lower only a handful of times in recorded history, highlighting the rarity of the current temperatures.

Plains colder than hills

The cold wave has spread across the National Capital Region and parts of northwest India. While Delhi recorded near-freezing temperatures, hill stations such as Shimla and Mussoorie remained comparatively warmer.

Meteorologists explained that cloud cover associated with an active western disturbance trapped heat over higher altitudes at night. In contrast, clear skies and persistent cold northwesterly winds over the plains led to strong radiative cooling, pushing temperatures sharply downward.

Frost, fog and travel risks

The intense chill resulted in ground frost across Gurugram’s outskirts, visible on crops, grasslands and vehicle windshields. Dense fog during early morning hours reduced visibility on highways and elevated roads, forcing vehicles to move slowly and increasing the risk of accidents. Commuters and outdoor workers reported numbness and discomfort despite heavy winter clothing, as the cold wave showed little sign of easing. Weather officials said temperatures may remain abnormally low for the next few days before a gradual rise later in the week.