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 IndiFa 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 are expected to fall by 2-3degC from January 12." On Sunday, the state capital recorded a maximum temperature of 23.5degC and a minimum of 8.5degC, both above normal. The forecast for Monday indicates shallow to moderate fog during the forenoon, followed by a clear sky later in the day, with temperatures expected to hover around 21degC (maximum) and 7degC (minimum). Varanasi (BHU) recorded the highest day temperature at 24.2degC, followed by Ghazipur at 24degC, Prayagraj at 23.8degC, and Barabanki at 23.5degC. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures in western UP districts remained below normal, with Meerut recording the lowest night temperature in the state at 4.1degC, followed by Aligarh at 5.8degC and Bareilly at 5.9degC. Despite the possibility of cold wave conditions in some parts of western Uttar Pradesh during the next three days, the presence of sunshine is likely to provide continued relief from the cold during the day. During this period, dense fog is expected in some parts of the northern Terai region in the morning, while light to moderate fog is expected in other areas, which is likely to clear quickly as the day progresses....