Dense to very dense fog continued to engulf parts of the tricity for the second straight day on Tuesday, severely disrupting early-morning visibility even as temperatures showed a marginal rise and a spell of thundershowers with lightning loomed over the New Year period.

In Chandigarh, visibility dipped drastically to just 40 metres around 3 am, placing it in the very dense fog category, while foggy conditions of varying intensity prevailed across Mohali and Panchkula as well, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The fog remained persistent through the night and early-morning hours, easing only briefly during the afternoon before returning after sunset. Over the past 24 hours, dense to very dense fog was observed for long durations, with calm winds and high moisture content creating ideal conditions for its sustenance.

Relative humidity levels stayed elevated, ranging between 60% and 96% in Chandigarh, aiding the prolonged fog spell. No rain was recorded in the region.

Despite the poor visibility, temperatures edged up slightly. Chandigarh’s maximum temperature rose by about 1.7°C, settling at around 18.4°C, though it remained slightly below normal for this time of year. The minimum temperature increased by about 1°C to 8.2°C, continuing to stay above normal. Similar trends were seen across the tricity, with nights remaining relatively warmer compared to seasonal averages.

In the region, the lowest minimum temperature was around 4°C at Gurdaspur, while the highest maximum touched about 22-24°C at places like Bhakra Dam and Mahendragarh.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the tricity, forecasting dense fog at isolated places along with the possibility of thundershowers and lightning on Wednesday (New Year’s eve) and Thursday (New Year’s day). The five-day outlook indicates partly to mostly cloudy skies with dense fog persisting, while maximum temperatures are expected to hover around 19-20°C and minimums gradually dip from 8°C to around 6°C by the weekend.

After the New Year spell, another four days till next Monday are likely to witness dense fog at isolated places, keeping early-morning travel conditions challenging.

In contrast, nearby hill stations such as Shimla and adjoining mid-hill areas have reported clearer conditions with comparatively better visibility and cooler, crisper air, underscoring the sharp weather divide between the fog-choked plains and the hills just a few hours away.

With calm winds, high humidity and stable atmospheric conditions expected to continue, residents have been advised to remain cautious during early-morning and late-night hours, especially while driving, as the New Year begins under a thick blanket of fog punctuated by the threat of thunderstorms.