Today, Friday, January 9, 2026, Gautam Buddha International Airport (VNBW) in Bhairahawa is facing significant operational hurdles due to the onset of the peak winter fog season in the Terai plains. As is characteristic for early January, the airport is currently under the grip of a "Cold Wave," which has brought visibility down to critical levels, profoundly impacting both domestic and the burgeoning international flight schedules.

Detailed Meteorological Conditions (METAR Analysis)

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According to the latest aviation weather reports (METAR), the conditions at VNBW are classified as LIFR (Low Instrument Flight Rules). The visibility has plummeted to a mere 50 meters across the airfield, with Runway 29 reporting a slightly better but still restrictive Runway Visual Range (RVR) of 300 meters. The presence of dense fog (FG) is further complicated by a vertical visibility of 0 feet, meaning the sky is essentially obscured from the ground up, providing no ceiling for pilots to gain visual reference.

The temperature is holding steady at a chilly 8°C, and with the dew point also at 8°C, the relative humidity is at a saturated 100%. This thermal profile is the primary driver for the persistent "thick soup" fog that traditionally blankets the Siddharthanagar region this time of year. Winds are light, coming from the west-southwest (260°) at approximately 7 knots, which is unfortunately not strong enough to disperse the low-level moisture. The atmospheric pressure (QNH) is recorded at 1021 hPa, reflecting the high-pressure system currently sitting over the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Operational and News Impact

The current weather has led to a cascade of delays. Early morning domestic flights from Kathmandu, operated by Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines, have been largely put on hold or diverted. While the airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS), its full utilization has historically been a point of diplomatic and technical discussion between Nepal and India; consequently, during such extreme low-visibility events, most aircraft are still unable to land until the fog lifts to at least 800–1000 meters.

In broader news, the local business community in Bhairahawa remains vocal about the airport's underutilization. Despite its status as Nepal's second international gateway, today’s disruptions highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain a consistent international schedule during the winter months. Reports indicate that while airlines like Thai AirAsia and Jazeera Airways have integrated VNBW into their networks, the "diversion factor" remains high. When visibility drops below 500 meters, many international flights are forced to divert back to Kathmandu or even to Indian airports like Lucknow (LKO), which sometimes offer better approach facilities during fog.

Looking Ahead

Weather forecasts suggest that the fog may begin to thin out by late afternoon (around 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM local time), potentially allowing for a window of operations where visibility could improve to 1,200 meters. However, travelers are advised to check their flight status frequently, as the "back-and-forth" nature of winter fog in the Terai can lead to sudden closures even after a brief period of clearing.