Unusual Weather Patterns in Himachal Pradesh: Snowfall and Warm Nights
Weather Conditions in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla/Manali/Lahaul: The weather in Himachal Pradesh has taken an unusual turn recently. In the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti, higher altitudes have been experiencing intermittent rain and snowfall for the past week, leading to a significant drop in temperatures. Conversely, the capital city of Shimla is witnessing unusually warm nights for January, marking some of the hottest nights recorded in decades.
Snowfall Continues in Lahaul
On Friday night (January 17, 2026), Lahaul's elevated regions received substantial snowfall. Even on Saturday afternoon, flakes continued to fall on the peaks. Notably, fresh snow accumulated in areas such as the Mayad Valley near Udaypur, beyond Darcha at the Shinkula Pass, Baralacha Pass, and the Rohtang region. Approximately 4 inches of new snow was recorded in the Shinkula area, prompting authorities to close the Darcha-Shinkula road to tourist vehicles. For safety reasons, police have advised tourists to avoid high-altitude areas.
Cold Wave Intensifies
This snowfall has exacerbated the cold wave from Lahaul to Kullu. In Kukkumseri (Lahaul-Spiti), minimum temperatures hovered around -5 to -9 degrees Celsius, with several locations experiencing sub-zero temperatures. According to the Meteorological Department (IMD), light snowfall and rain are expected in the mid and high-altitude regions (Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti) from January 16 to 20, influenced by a weak western disturbance that is breaking the dry spell.
Record Warm Nights in Shimla
The most surprising aspect of the weather has been observed in Shimla. On Friday (January 17), the minimum temperature reached 10.5 degrees Celsius, marking the warmest January night in the last 32 years. The previous record was set in January 1994 at 10.6 degrees. The night of January 17-18 also recorded a minimum temperature of 8.4 degrees, significantly higher than many plains cities like Amritsar (4.4°), Safdarjung Delhi (4.4°), Lucknow (4.4°), Karnal (4.9°), and Kanpur (4.8°).
Changing Weather Patterns
Typically, January in Shimla is characterized by severe cold, frost, and snowfall; however, this year has seen a shift towards dryness and unusual warmth. The IMD reports an 80-90% deficit in rainfall for January so far, contributing to a drought-like situation.
What Lies Ahead?
The weather department has forecasted light snowfall/rain in higher regions from January 18-21, while lower areas are expected to remain predominantly dry. Tourists and locals are advised to stay alert, wear warm clothing, and check road conditions, especially avoiding travel through passes like Rohtang and Shinkula.