Dense fog was observed at many places in Punjab and Haryana early on Wednesday even as cold conditions persisted in both the states.
In Punjab, dense fog reduced visibility to zero in Amritsar, Met officials said.
In Ludhiana and Patiala, the visibility was only 20 metres and 10 metres, respectively, they said.
The visibility was 80 metres in Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states.
The fog was also observed in Haryana's Karnal and Ambala.
Sangrur was the coldest place in Punjab, recording a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, six notches below normal, the Met office said.
Amritsar registered a minimum temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 7.4 degrees.
The minimum temperature in Pathankot was recorded at 8.6 degrees Celsius, Bathinda at 4.5 degrees, and Gurdaspur at 4.0 degrees.
In Haryana, Hisar recorded a night temperature of 6.4 degrees Celsius, Ambala 9.3 degrees, Karnal 7.5 degrees, Narnaul 5.0 degrees, Rohtak 7.7 degrees, Bhiwani 5.0 degrees and Sirsa 6.0 degrees.
Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 8.3 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal.
Cold conditions intensify in Kashmir valley after brief respite
Night temperatures dipped to settle below the freezing point across the Kashmir valley as cold conditions intensified after a brief respite, officials said on Wednesday.
Owing to clear skies, night temperatures dipped below the freezing point across the valley, the Met office said.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at minus 1 degree Celsius, down from the previous night's 0.9 degrees, it said.
The city had witnessed bright sunshine in the morning.
Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 9.8 degrees Celsius, compared to the previous night's minus 6.6 degrees, and was the coldest recorded place in the valley.
In Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, the minimum temperature settled at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius against the previous night's minus 7.8 degrees.
Qazigund, the gateway town to the valley, logged a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius while Konibal in Pampore town registered a minimum temperature of minus 1 degree.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.1 degrees Celsius while Kokernag in south Kashmir saw the mercury settle at minus 1.9 degrees.
The Met Office has forecast mainly dry weather over the next few days, with the possibility of light rain or snow at isolated places on Saturday.
It also said the minimum temperature was likely to drop further in the valley and forecast an isolated cold wave over the few days ahead.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' -- the harshest period of winter -- that began on December 21. During the 40 days of 'Chillai-Kalan', the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.
'Chillai-Kalan' ends on January 30. It is followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd (small cold)' and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha (baby cold)'.
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