New Delhi, Light to moderate rain and hailstorm with wind speed up to 50 kmph is likely over northwest India, including Delhi, next week. The Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued this warning in its forecast. Meanwhile, cold wave conditions prevailed in the region in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and North Rajasthan on Tuesday with the minimum temperature ranging between one to three degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department said that parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh recorded minimum temperatures between three and five degrees Celsius.

Western Disturbance can have an effect
According to the Meteorological Department, an active Western Disturbance can affect Northwest India between January 21 and 25. "Under its influence, rain or snow is likely to commence over western Himalayan region on January 21 and continue till January 25 with peak conditions on January 23-24," it said in a statement.

Winds can run at a speed of 50 km
The weather office said that light to moderate hailstorm is expected at isolated places over Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh and North Rajasthan on January 23 and 24. It said that on January 23-24, winds with a speed of up to 50 kmph are expected in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh.

There was no rain in the capital this winter
Delhi has not recorded any rain so far this winter season. The Meteorological Department says that the absence of strong western disturbances in November and December was the reason for the lack of rain. Last year, the city recorded 82.2 mm of rainfall in January, the highest for the month since 1901. Delhi's Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 2.4 degrees Celsius, up from 1.4 degrees on Monday. The fog has also affected road and rail traffic in some parts of the northern region.