Shimla's White Christmas Dream Continues to Fade
The Disappearing Winter Charm of Shimla
Pallavi Sharma
Shimla: The aspiration for a snowy Christmas in the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh seems to be slipping away once more. Shimla, affectionately known as the Queen of Hills, has been devoid of its winter allure.
For the fourth consecutive year, the likelihood of snowfall during the Christmas season appears bleak, as shifting weather patterns reshape the region's winter landscape.
December, which used to be synonymous with snow in Shimla, has become unusually dry and chilly. From 2022 to 2024, the city has not experienced significant snowfall in December, except for a brief light flurry on December 8, 2024. Even in 2021, snowfall was minimal.
Data spanning the last thirty years indicates a dramatic decline of nearly 37% in average snowfall in the state capital. While Shimla averaged 129.1 cm of snow annually between 1990 and 2000, this figure plummeted to approximately 80.3 cm during the 2010-2020 decade.
Previously, light snowfall by the second or third week of December was commonplace. Now, dry winters often extend into January and February. The lack of snow has dampened tourist expectations and adversely affected local economies reliant on winter tourism. Once, Christmas and New Year meant a snow-covered Ridge, Mall Road, and Kufri, with hotels and tourism-related businesses bustling. That festive scene has been absent for four consecutive years.
Reasons Behind the Decline in Snowfall
Experts attribute the reduction in snowfall to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. A meteorologist notes that the number of days with snowfall in Shimla has been steadily decreasing.
Even when conditions seem favorable, weak western disturbances often lead to rain rather than snow. Long-term data indicates that the average surface temperature in Himachal Pradesh has increased by about 1.5 degrees Celsius from 1901 to 2025, making consistent snowfall increasingly rare.
Environmental specialists further explain that rapid urbanization exacerbates the issue. An environmental science expert from Himachal Pradesh University highlights that climate change, altered atmospheric circulation, and the proliferation of concrete structures in Shimla significantly contribute to the decline in snowfall. Additionally, western disturbances, which are crucial for winter precipitation, are influenced by larger climatic phenomena like El Niño, adding to the unpredictability.
Weather Forecast for Christmas Week
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has forecasted generally clear weather across the state until December 27. However, there is a chance of light rain or snowfall in some higher-altitude areas on December 28 and 29. Lower and plain regions are expected to experience dense fog during late night and early morning hours from December 23 to 27, prompting a yellow alert.
For tourists hoping to witness snow in Shimla, Manali, or other popular hill stations this Christmas, the forecast offers little optimism. While higher elevations may see brief winter activity later in the month, the iconic white Christmas in Himachal continues to fade into memory.