LUCKNOW, Jan. 12 -- After a brief spell of bright sunshine across several parts of Uttar Pradesh, winter is set to tighten its grip again. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday forecast dense to very dense fog at isolated locations across the state, warning that cold wave conditions are likely to return. Severe cold wave conditions are also expected at one or two places in western Uttar Pradesh.

The shift in weather from Monday onward is attributed to the weakening of the prevailing western disturbance. The recent rise in maximum temperatures was due to active western disturbances, which had temporarily held back cold wave conditions.

"However, as that influence weakens and northwesterly winds regain strength, temperatures...