India is likely to witness its third coldest winter in 110 years, according to early weather projections. What makes this winter unusual is that 86% of the Himalayan region is already blanketed with snow — nearly two months earlier than usual.
Meteorologists say that such early and widespread snowfall in the Himalayas will lead to a stronger cold wave across northern and central India. This early snow buildup is expected to intensify cold winds blowing into the plains, bringing sharp drops in temperature in regions including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Experts predict that the winter of 2025-26 could be one of the harshest in recent memory, marked by longer cold spells and record-low temperatures, similar to historic winters recorded in 1918 and 1960.