Himachal Weather: As the chill of winter continues to sweep through North India, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing an unusual weather pattern, with temperatures in several regions hovering above normal. While snowfall and cold waves have gripped much of the state’s higher altitudes, the plains and mid-altitude areas are experiencing temperatures that are far warmer than expected for January.
Over the past two days, snowfall has been reported in the higher areas of the tribal district of Lahaul, with light snowflakes continuing to fall on the peaks even on Saturday. Snowfall was recorded in the Udaypur Miyar Valley in Lahaul, as well as at Shinkula Pass, Baralacha Pass, and Rohtang. This has intensified the cold wave stretching from Lahaul to Kullu.
Meanwhile, Shimla, often referred to as the “Queen of Hills”, has witnessed an unusual spike in temperatures. The minimum temperature recorded on Friday was 10.5 degrees C, making it the warmest January night in over three decades. This surpasses the previous record of 10.6 degrees C in 1994. Typically, January in Shimla brings with it harsh cold and frost, but this year, the region has experienced an uncharacteristic warmth, defying the usual winter chill.
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On the night before, Shimla recorded a minimum of 8.4 degrees C, which is significantly higher than several other major cities across northern India. For comparison, temperatures in cities such as Amritsar (4.4 degrees C), Delhi’s Safdarjung (4.4 degrees C), Lucknow (4.4 degrees C), and Kanpur (4.8 degrees C) were notably lower. This has raised concerns about the impact of such high temperatures on local ecosystems and agriculture, which typically depend on colder conditions during winter.
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has predicted that rain and snow are likely to continue across Himachal Pradesh in the coming days. A spell of moderate to heavy snowfall is expected from January 22-23, with a yellow alert issued for several areas on January 23 due to the possibility of heavy snow and rain.
From January 17-21, light rain and snowfall are anticipated in the higher reaches, with moderate to heavy precipitation forecast for January 22-23. The weather department has warned that some regions, particularly in the middle and high-altitude areas, could experience brief spells of intense snow and rain, especially on the Jan 23.
Shimla: 8.4 degrees C
Sundernagar: 7.2 degrees C
Bhuntar: 7.8 degrees C
Kalpa: 4.2 degrees C
Dharamshala: 2.8 degrees C
Una: 5.3 degrees C
Nahan: 6.8 degrees C
Solan: 5.0 degrees C
Manali: 7.1 degrees C
Mandi: 6.3 degrees C
Kangra: 5.6 degrees C
Bilaspur: 4.5 degrees C
Hamirpur: 5.1 degrees C
Jubbarhatti: 8.5 degrees C
Kufri: 8.1 degrees C
Kukumseri: -1.6 degrees C (notable for its sub-zero temperature)
Reckong Peo: 8.4 degrees C
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These temperatures are significantly higher than the seasonal norms for the time of year, leaving many residents wondering whether this is indicative of a larger shift in the region’s weather patterns.