Rajgarh records coldest temperature at 3.8°C:Dense fog affects 16 districts, delays multiple trains; Bhopal experiences colder conditions than Pachmarhi amid severe cold wave

Severe cold conditions prevail in Madhya Pradesh, where the minimum temperature has fallen below 10°C in 31 cities. Districts receiving icy winds from the north are also witnessing a drop in daytime temperatures, which are hovering below 25°C.
Dense fog has further compounded the situation, slowing down train movement. Even today, major trains such as the Rajdhani Express, Jhelum Express and Malwa Express are running behind schedule.
According to meteorologists, the effect of the western disturbance over the Himalayas has weakened, allowing cold northern winds to enter Madhya Pradesh and intensify the chill. Pachmarhi coldest, mercury freezes dew Pachmarhi, the state’s only hill station, remains the coldest location. Night temperatures here have dropped below 5°C. On Thursday-Friday night, the mercury plunged to 4.2°C, causing dew droplets to freeze on surfaces. Fog disrupts train services On Friday morning, dense fog enveloped several districts including Bhopal, Mandla, Rewa, Satna, Pachmarhi, Datia, Dhar, Guna, Gwalior, Indore, Ujjain, Khajuraho, Naugaon, Ashoknagar, Jhabua, Khandwa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Shajapur and Sehore.
As a result, trains coming from Delhi towards Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain were delayed by several hours.
A similar situation continued on Saturday morning, with thick fog reported in Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli. Cold and fog have affected normal life, forcing people to light bonfires in the early mornings. Gwalior coldest among major cities Among the five major cities of the state, Gwalior recorded the lowest temperature at 6.8°C. Bhopal saw a minimum of 7°C, while Indore, Ujjain and Jabalpur recorded around 9°C.
Several other cities witnessed even lower temperatures: Nearly 25 cities in the state reported minimum temperatures below 10°C. More cold expected due to Himalayan system The Meteorological Department has warned that another western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region on December 30. Its impact may be felt in Madhya Pradesh as well, further intensifying the cold due to strong chilly winds. Jet Stream Intensifying the Chill Currently, a jet stream is also active over northern India. On Friday, it was recorded flowing at a height of about 12.6 km above ground at a speed of 232 km per hour. Similar speeds are expected on Saturday as well. What Is a Jet Stream? Weather experts explain that the jet stream is one of the key reasons behind the sharp rise in cold conditions. It is a narrow band of very strong winds blowing at an altitude of around 12 km. This season, its speed has reached up to 262 km per hour and it remains active over northern India.
Along with icy winds from the mountains, this high-altitude airflow is intensifying the cold. When cold winds from the northern plains combine with icy winds from the hills—driven by western disturbances—the cold becomes more severe. If a jet stream also develops during this period, the chill effectively doubles, which is exactly what is happening this time.