The weather across India on February 14, 2026, is painting a striking picture of contrasts and early seasonal change, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and independent forecasters noting a clear and dry spell dominating nearly every region. While the Himalayan heights brace for a fresh sprinkle of snow, the country's lowlands and coastal belts are already feeling the heat—quite literally.
According to the IMD, a fresh Western Disturbance is active over the higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, bringing isolated to scattered light snowfall to places like Gulmarg and Sonamarg. The valleys, meanwhile, remain largely cloudy, with the minimum temperature in Jammu and Kashmir dipping to -2°C and a maximum of 8°C. Yet, for the vast majority of India, the story is all about warmth and sunshine. No significant rain is predicted for the plains, including Delhi, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, as reported by IMD and corroborated by India Today and Business Standard.
In the capital, Delhi-NCR, residents are experiencing what many are calling an "early summer." Temperatures are running 3–5°C higher than the long-term average, with minimums at 16°C and afternoons peaking at 28°C. The morning mist quickly gives way to clear blue skies, and the dry westerly winds have swept away any lingering winter chill. “The dry spell is likely to continue over the next few days, with a steady rise in daytime temperatures, signalling an early build-up of heat across the national capital,” stated the IMD in its morning bulletin, as reported by Business Standard.
This warming trend is not confined to Delhi. Across southern and western states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and even as far south as Chennai—maximum temperatures are consistently exceeding 30°C. Ahmedabad, for instance, is clocking in at a minimum of 19°C and a searing maximum of 34°C under dry, clear skies. Mumbai, too, is waking up to humid mornings with clouds that soon give way to mostly sunny conditions, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 31°C. Chennai, meanwhile, is basking in a minimum of 22°C and a maximum of 32°C, with only a rare low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal from Sunday, though little rain is expected in the immediate term.
Hyderabad and the rest of Karnataka are also experiencing a similar pattern: clear skies, warm afternoons, and only the faintest hint of early morning mist or haze. “Dry weather across the state with warm afternoons” is the order of the day, as reported by IMD India. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are seeing clear skies, with the winter’s icy grip noticeably loosened. Rajasthan, too, is warming up, with the intense winter chill now a thing of the past.
The IMD has issued warnings for hot and humid conditions at isolated places over coastal Karnataka and the Konkan-Goa region on February 14 and 15. Cities like Goa, Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg could see temperatures rising 4-5°C above normal, increasing the risk of localized heatwave-like conditions. “People working outdoors, elderly citizens and children have been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours,” the IMD cautioned, as cited by Business Standard.
Despite this widespread warmth, the hills aren’t entirely out of the winter woods. Dense fog is very likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh till February 15, especially during the morning hours. Reduced visibility may affect road travel in some hill districts. In the northeast, forecasters expect thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh on February 14, with squally weather and gusty winds up to 55 kmph likely in parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution.
City-wise, sunrise and sunset times reflect the lengthening days and the seasonal shift. In Delhi, the sun rises at 7:01 AM and sets at 6:10 PM. Mumbai greets the sun at 7:07 AM, waving it goodbye at 6:38 PM. Chennai’s day stretches from 6:32 AM to 6:14 PM, while Hyderabad enjoys daylight from 6:43 AM to 6:17 PM. These timings, provided by IMD India, further underscore the transition from winter to the cusp of summer.
What’s driving this early onset of summer-like heat in the north? Experts point to a combination of dry westerly winds and the abatement of cold winter winds, which together are pushing temperatures in Delhi-NCR and other northern plains well above seasonal norms. The lack of a distinct spring, with abrupt temperature changes, could have knock-on effects for agriculture and daily life, as highlighted in the IMD’s FAQ section.
Looking ahead, meteorologists anticipate that the stable, dry weather pattern will persist across India for the next few days. Any significant change is likely only around February 16–17, when another Western Disturbance may sweep through the Himalayan region, possibly bringing fresh snow to the heights but little change to the plains. “No significant weather activity is expected across the country until February 16, when the next western disturbance may approach the northern mountains,” said Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak, as quoted by India Today.
For now, most regions can expect bright days, cool mornings in the north, and a gradual build-up of heat as February progresses. The IMD forecasts a further rise of 2–3°C in maximum temperatures over Maharashtra and Karnataka during the next four days, followed by a slight dip thereafter. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain steady for the next two days in northwest and central India, before also ticking upwards.
Meanwhile, the influence of cold northerly winds continues to be felt from Punjab down to Maharashtra, including parts of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. These winds are keeping morning and night temperatures relatively cool, but the afternoon sun is making its presence felt, especially along the west coast and in the southern peninsular regions.
Despite increasing cloud formation over parts of the southern peninsula due to moisture from the Bay of Bengal, meteorologists agree that rainfall is unlikely in the next 24 hours. The cloud systems simply aren’t strong enough to produce precipitation at this stage.
For those hoping for a break from the heat, relief might be a little way off. With the winter chill now firmly in retreat and the mercury on the rise, India is staring at an unusually early start to summer in 2026. The coming weeks will reveal whether this pattern holds or if nature has a few more surprises in store.