The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier issued advisories warning passengers of potential delays due to poor visibility at select airports. In a post on X, the AAI urged travellers to stay in close contact with airlines and allow extra time for airport procedures. Assistance teams have been deployed at affected airports to support stranded passengers.

The current weather is being driven by an active Western Disturbance, which has intensified across northern India. Meteorological data indicates that the jet stream speed over Madhya Pradesh has reached 287 kmph, causing a sharp drop in night temperatures. In Bhopal, the minimum temperature dropped to 5.6°C, while dense fog was observed across several districts, leading to temporary school closures from December 31 to January 4.

In Rajasthan, the Western Disturbance may bring rain, while flights bound for Delhi and Chandigarh were diverted to Jaipur on Monday due to low visibility. Bihar is experiencing severe cold, with an orange alert for dense fog in 29 districts including Patna, which has recorded four consecutive 'cold days'.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in six districts, and rain or snowfall is expected in four districts. Dehradun Airport saw 12 flight delays, while Himachal Pradesh remains on alert for rain and snowfall over the next 96 hours. Tourist destinations such as Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir continue to attract visitors amid continuous snowfall.

The thick fog has significantly reduced visibility across several northern cities. In Delhi, smoke and fog have combined to create hazardous conditions, while in Haryana, visibility in Karnal dropped below 10 meters. Iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra appeared blurred in the morning haze, with temperatures hovering around 9°C.

Authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution on roads and monitor official updates for travel plans. Airlines and railways continue to coordinate for rescheduling and passenger assistance as the fog is expected to persist for the next 24–48 hours.