The fog season has descended on North India even as chilly weather started to bite the plains over the weekend.

Very dense fog with a visibility of up to only 50 metres or even below, capable of throwing out of gear all modes of transport, has been forecast for next two days.

WORST HIT

Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are expected to be worst hit during this period, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) update said.

Meanwhile, cold day conditions with chilly weather have been forecast over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Meanwhile, a seasonal fog outlook issued by IMD for 2012-13 (dense fog) has forecast ‘normal to above normal’ fog occurrences.

Dense fog hours at Delhi are expected to count to between around 120-140 (against a normal of 118 hours) during the season.

SEASONAL OUTLOOK

Chance of high fog has been predicted for January 2013 compared with the relatively ‘low fog’ months of November and December, 2012, and February, 2013.

The main ‘CAT-III dense fog’ period was forecast to start by December 10, 2012 (but delayed by a week or two in actuality) and last up to February 10, 2013.

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the globally known to be among the worst affected by fog-induced disruptions of air traffic.

Departing flights from other airports to Delhi have been advised to take cognisance of latest fog updates.

INCIDENCE UP

They have been advised to better delay at location of origin in case the forecast makes it doubtful about safe landing at Delhi.

Fog incidence has increased 5-20 times in the region since 1960s till2003-04, an IMD presentation said.

At times, it does not lift even in the afternoon, and is worst when persists for week after week.

During the peak season, the fog does not lift even with clouds or during rain or even strong winds, the presentation said.

> vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

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