Much of India is heading into a wet, windy weekend. The capital is not. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds across roughly 20 states on Saturday, while New Delhi gets hazy sunshine, moderate fog and almost no chance of rain.

That split matters more than it seems. Rain helps settle airborne pollutants, so a dry, still day in Delhi in mid-November usually means the haze stays put.

According to the IMD, states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are likely to face adverse weather on Saturday, with wind speeds reaching up to 75 kmph in some areas. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in parts of South India and the hilly regions of Northwest India.

The rain and wind will bring a sharp drop in temperatures. More than 10 states could see the mercury fall by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is expected in three states, and parts of the northeastern region may face hailstorms. The IMD has advised people to stay alert and follow local weather advisories.

Delhi: Warm Days, Smoky Skies

The national capital's forecast looks very different. The IMD expects no significant rainfall in Delhi on Saturday, but hazy conditions and high levels of air pollution may reduce visibility and disrupt outdoor activities.

Daytime will still be fairly warm. The maximum temperature is expected to settle at 29.9 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 19.9 degrees Celsius. Mornings and evenings will stay comparatively cooler, and the chance of rain is just 3 per cent.

For commuters, this mix of morning fog and pollution haze is a familiar November problem. Low visibility can slow road traffic during early hours, and people with breathing problems are generally advised to limit long periods outdoors on hazy days.

Relief may be small but it is on the way. On Sunday, November 15, conditions are expected to turn slightly cooler, with minimum temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius and maximums between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy skies are likely, along with mist or light fog in the morning. Some areas may also get light drizzle, which would be the first hint of moisture in the city's forecast this weekend.

What It Signals

This weekend's forecast shows how uneven India's weather has become as the country moves from autumn into winter. Farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will be watching how strong winds and rain affect standing crops and field work. Hill states are preparing for the first real taste of snow. Delhi, meanwhile, is stuck in a pattern with too little rain to clear the air and enough chill to keep fog hanging low.

The IMD says conditions will keep varying across the country, with rain and thunderstorms in some regions and temperature swings in others. For now, the message is the same everywhere: check local advisories before heading out.

With inputs from IANS

Much of India is heading into a wet, windy weekend. The capital is not. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds across roughly 20 states on Saturday, while New Delhi gets hazy sunshine, moderate fog and almost no chance of rain.

That split matters more than it seems. Rain helps settle airborne pollutants, so a dry, still day in Delhi in mid-November usually means the haze stays put.

According to the IMD, states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are likely to face adverse weather on Saturday, with wind speeds reaching up to 75 kmph in some areas. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in parts of South India and the hilly regions of Northwest India.

The rain and wind will bring a sharp drop in temperatures. More than 10 states could see the mercury fall by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is expected in three states, and parts of the northeastern region may face hailstorms. The IMD has advised people to stay alert and follow local weather advisories.

Delhi: Warm Days, Smoky Skies

The national capital's forecast looks very different. The IMD expects no significant rainfall in Delhi on Saturday, but hazy conditions and high levels of air pollution may reduce visibility and disrupt outdoor activities.

Daytime will still be fairly warm. The maximum temperature is expected to settle at 29.9 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 19.9 degrees Celsius. Mornings and evenings will stay comparatively cooler, and the chance of rain is just 3 per cent.

For commuters, this mix of morning fog and pollution haze is a familiar November problem. Low visibility can slow road traffic during early hours, and people with breathing problems are generally advised to limit long periods outdoors on hazy days.

Relief may be small but it is on the way. On Sunday, November 15, conditions are expected to turn slightly cooler, with minimum temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius and maximums between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Partly cloudy skies are likely, along with mist or light fog in the morning. Some areas may also get light drizzle, which would be the first hint of moisture in the city's forecast this weekend.

What It Signals

This weekend's forecast shows how uneven India's weather has become as the country moves from autumn into winter. Farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will be watching how strong winds and rain affect standing crops and field work. Hill states are preparing for the first real taste of snow. Delhi, meanwhile, is stuck in a pattern with too little rain to clear the air and enough chill to keep fog hanging low.

The IMD says conditions will keep varying across the country, with rain and thunderstorms in some regions and temperature swings in others. For now, the message is the same everywhere: check local advisories before heading out.

With inputs from IANS