Karnataka Weather Alert: Cold Wave to Continue for 3 More Days, But Is Rain Expected From January 9?

Dry conditions are likely to continue across Karnataka over the next few days, with cold early morning conditions and fog reported at several places. Minimum temperatures across the state are expected to remain near normal or fall 2 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal, particularly over interior regions. Clear skies in many districts have intensified the cold wave, resulting in very low night temperatures and reduced visibility due to fog in parts of South Interior Karnataka.

While the dry and cold weather is expected to dominate in the immediate term, a change in conditions is likely from January 9, with rainfall forecast across several districts, including Bengaluru. Meteorological assessments link the expected wet spell to Low Pressure Area 90B, the first low-pressure system of 2026, which has formed over the Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to draw moisture towards southern India, setting the stage for light to moderate rainfall on January 9 and 10.

Until then, the cold spell is likely to persist for at least three more days. Interior parts of Karnataka continue to record minimum temperatures 2 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal, while foggy conditions during early morning hours have been reported from multiple locations, affecting visibility on some routes.

Bengaluru Weather Forecast

In Bengaluru, the chill remains pronounced, especially during late-night and early-morning hours. IMD forecasts indicate that the city will remain largely dry but cold until January 8, with light rain likely to begin from January 9. Over the next 24 hours, skies are expected to remain mostly clear, with dense fog possible in a few areas during morning hours. Maximum temperatures may reach around 26 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures are likely to hover near 15 degrees Celsius. Similar conditions are expected to continue over the next 48 hours.

Across the state, the cold spell is expected to continue, with north interior Karnataka likely to see a further dip in minimum temperatures by about 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next four to five days. Coastal Karnataka, however, is not expected to witness any significant change in weather conditions during this period.

Dharwad has so far recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 12.4 degrees Celsius, marking one of the coldest nights of the season. Several plateau regions are also experiencing temperatures well below normal for early January.

According to IMD officials, South Interior Karnataka and the coastal belt are unlikely to see sharp changes in temperature in the coming days. However, rainfall associated with shifting wind patterns and moisture inflow remains likely on January 9 and 10, overlapping with the ongoing cold conditions.

Weather systems over the surrounding seas are contributing to the evolving forecast. A cyclonic circulation over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal and the equatorial Indian Ocean extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, aiding moisture transport towards the peninsula. Another circulation over the Maldives and adjoining Lakshadweep region extends up to 3.1 km, while a weak cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining south Kerala coast extends up to 0.9 km.

Meanwhile, Low Pressure Area 90B, located off the Sri Lanka coast, continues to produce disorganised showers and thunderstorms. While environmental conditions are not strongly supportive of rapid intensification, limited consolidation is possible as the system moves towards Sri Lanka and southern India. Strong low-pressure alerts have been issued for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the Sri Lanka coast, with a high likelihood of rainfall between January 9 and 12.

Meteorologists note that cyclone formation in January is rare. Over the past 150 years, only six cyclones have been recorded during the month - in 1918, 1939, 1961, 1986, 2005 and 2014 - underlining the unusual nature of low-pressure activity during this period.