Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh
The intense cold conditions today abated in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with minimum temperature rising by up to three degrees Celsius above normal even as some parts of the region were enveloped in dense fog.

The minimum temperature hovered between three notches above normal and two degrees Celsius below normal in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, the Met office said here.

Amritsar was the coldest place in Punjab with a low of 2.6 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal.

While Ambala settled at a low of 5 deg C, two notches below normal, the minimum temperature at Karnal was 5.2 deg C.

Patiala had a low of 7 deg C followed by Narnaul at 7.2 deg C. Chandigarh had a low of 7.6 deg C and Ludhiana 8.1 deg C.

Some places in the region, including Pathankot, Ambala, Chandigarh, Sirsa and Bathinda had fog, mist and haze in the morning reducing the visibility to 400 metres.

The Met forecast rain or thundershowers at some places in the region during the next few days.

Rajasthan
Sriganganagar remained the coldest place in Rajasthan with a minimum temperature of 5.2 degree celsius followed by Chittorgarh at 6.8 degrees, a Met official said here.

Dholpur, Pilani and Bundi recorded minimum of 7.7, 7.8 and 8.5 degrees respectively.

Minimum temperature in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,Sawaimadhopur, Rawatbhata, Barmer, Bikaner, Phalodi, Jalore, Kota, Jaipur and Ajmer was recorded between 10.4 to 14.1 degree celsius.

Weather conditions would remain the same during next 24 hours, according to a Met forecast.

Jammu & Kashmir
People in Jammu and Kashmir got some respite from intense cold conditions as mercury rose with Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal.

Kupwara had a low of 1.5 deg C, while Kokernag and Pahalgam, both in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 1 deg C and minus 0.4 deg C respectively.

The night temperature for the first time during this winter rose above normal in Jammu, winter capital of the state, when mercury touched 9.5 deg C. The normal temperature in Jammu is 8 deg C, Met office said.

Katra recorded the highest minimum temperature of 11 deg C, while Batote had 6.1 deg C. Bhaderwah recorded a low at 4.2 deg C and Banihal 3 deg C.

Temperature improved in Leh also as the low recorded was minus 7 deg C.

Meanwhile, Met department has predicted possibility of snowfall during the next few days.

"The western disturbances originating from Arabian Sea and Caspian sea areas and entering the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, are approaching Kashmir valley and can cause snowfall in the next two days," a Met office spokesman said.