Britain recorded its coldest January night in 15 years, with temperatures plunging to -18.7°C in Altnaharra, Scotland. The last such extreme cold was in 2010 when Altnaharra hit -22.3°C. Other areas, like Shap in Cumbria, saw lows of -11°C, while Heathrow dropped to -5°C. The average January lows are 0.3°C in Scotland and around 1.5°C in England. The UK Health Security Agency extended a cold weather alert until January 14, warning of increased health risks, especially for older people. While temperatures are set to rise slightly next week, the Met Office warns the weather will still feel chilly.

Dense fog in parts of Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad on January 11 caused disruptions, delaying over 100 flights and 45 trains. The fog reduced visibility to zero in several areas, prompting multiple advisories from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) to keep passengers informed about flight statuses. Despite low visibility procedures, flight operations remained unaffected. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached ‘severe’ levels at 409 in the morning, later settling at 397. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts rain and thunderstorms for the weekend along with continued foggy conditions in the morning.

NHS bosses warn that current pressures in accident-and-emergency units in the UK are as severe as during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu cases continue to rise, with over 5,400 patients hospitalized daily in England. NHS England's Prof Sir Stephen Powis described the situation as "exceptional," with some frontline workers saying the strain mirrors pandemic days. With cold weather compounding the crisis, around 20 NHS trusts have declared critical incidents. Long waits for ambulances and A&E treatment are common, raising concerns about emergency services. Flu cases are more than three times higher than this time last year.

The death toll from Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 10, as per the county coroner's office. Fires, fueled by strong winds, continue to devastate Southern California, burning over 10,000 structures and displacing thousands. The blaze, which started on Tuesday, has ravaged the Los Angeles area, including the Pacific Palisades and parts of Hollywood. Firefighters are battling multiple fronts, struggling to contain the flames amid challenging conditions. Authorities have warned residents to stay vigilant as evacuation orders remain in effect. The destruction has severely impacted the region, leaving communities shattered and in urgent need of assistance.

Delhi and North India faced a dense fog and severe cold wave on Friday, reducing visibility to zero in several areas. Over 270 flights were delayed, and 6 cancelled at Delhi airport, while train services saw delays of up to 8 hours. The AQI in Delhi deteriorated to 409, reaching the severe category. A multi-vehicle collision in Uttar Pradesh injured several due to poor visibility. The IMD has predicted rainfall and hailstorms in North India. Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Kashmir experienced freezing temperatures, with warnings for extreme cold, fog, and frost across multiple states.

A severe cold wave has gripped Kashmir, with temperatures plummeting below freezing across the Valley. Pahalgam recorded the lowest temperature at minus 10.4°C, followed by Gulmarg at minus 9.6°C. Srinagar also experienced a significant drop, settling at minus 4.4°C. Clear skies and bright sunshine over the past days have contributed to the plummeting temperatures. The region is currently in the 'Chillai-Kalan,' the harshest winter period. The Met Office forecasts continued cold conditions and possible light rain or snow at isolated spots in the coming days.

Delhi's air quality worsened as the AQI rose to 357 on January 9 from 297 the day before. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reinstated Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Stage I and II restrictions will also remain in force. Calm winds and dense fog have worsened pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. Citizens are urged to follow GRAP rules to help reduce pollution. Delhi’s minimum temperature was 5°C, adding to the discomfort. Authorities will continue monitoring air quality closely to decide on further measures.

Schools in parts of the UK are closed today after heavy snow and freezing temperatures. The Met Office issued warnings for snow and ice, with the cold dropping to -15°C overnight. Areas like Devon and Yorkshire have been hit hard, forcing many schools to shut. Castle Cary Primary School in Somerset also closed due to a broken boiler caused by the weather. Meanwhile, most schools in Bristol managed to stay open. Families can check school closures using the government’s postcode tool. Children in affected areas are enjoying snow days as the icy weather continues to disrupt daily life.

Los Angeles wildfires have forced over 100,000 residents to flee as 1,500 buildings, including celebrity homes, have been destroyed. Fierce Santa Ana winds, gusting up to 112 kph, have worsened the disaster, spreading flames rapidly across neighborhoods like Malibu and Hollywood Hills. At least five people have died, and thousands of firefighters, joined by federal aid, are battling the blazes. President Biden declared a federal disaster, emphasizing climate change's role in intensifying such events. Evacuations continue, with landmarks threatened and communities devastated. "We’ve never seen anything like this," said a firefighter. Recovery efforts face challenges amid ongoing destruction.

Freezing weather is expected to cause significant disruption across the UK on Thursday, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -16°C. Warnings for snow, ice, and fog have been issued, particularly affecting the South West, Cornwall, and parts of northern England. Roads in Devon and Cornwall were closed after heavy snow caused long traffic delays, and snow ploughs became stuck in queues. The Met Office has warned of potential travel disruptions, with icy conditions leading to accidents. Authorities are urging motorists to use gritted major roads. The RAC reported a surge in rescue requests amid the freeze.