Will Shimla and Manali Experience a White Christmas This Year?
Tourist Anticipation for Winter Festivities
Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: As visitors flock to Himachal Pradesh to enjoy the winter ambiance, festive spirit, and the possibility of snowfall, a pressing question arises: will Shimla and Manali have a white Christmas this year? For those planning year-end vacations in the hills, this answer is crucial for their holiday expectations.
Currently, Shimla is experiencing pleasant winter days, with temperatures gradually decreasing. The weather has mostly been clear, and the cold is becoming more pronounced.
The forecast for the week from December 18 to 23 indicates that Shimla will likely see clear to partly cloudy skies. Minimum temperatures are projected to range from 8°C to 11°C, while maximum temperatures could be between 18°C and 21°C. So far, no weather warnings have been issued.
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla reported that the weather across Himachal Pradesh has remained clear over the last 24 hours, with maximum temperatures recorded above normal in several areas. Shimla noted a maximum temperature of 20.5°C, approximately six degrees higher than average, while Kalpa recorded 17.3°C, nearly eight degrees above normal. The lower hill districts also experienced temperatures 3-4 degrees above average.
Manali Hoteliers Optimistic About Snowfall
Manali hoteliers pin hopes on snowfall as Christmas bookings pick up
In Manali, the festive atmosphere is beginning to take shape, even as the wait for snowfall continues. A local hotelier mentioned that inquiries for Christmas reservations have started to increase, and hotels are preparing for the festive season.
“We are planning live music, bonfires, themed parties, and traditional Himachali dishes to welcome tourists during Christmas and New Year,” he stated, noting that business is expected to surge as the holidays approach.
According to the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurants Association, hotel occupancy in Manali is currently around 70%, with expectations to reach full capacity during Christmas and New Year. A federation representative mentioned that Manali typically experiences snowfall between December 15 and 31, keeping hopes alive for a white Christmas.
Historical patterns also support this optimism: Manali experienced snowfall around Christmas in 2024 and 2023, providing visitors with the quintessential white Christmas experience. The town has frequently received snow in the latter half of December, including a memorable white Christmas in 2013.
Weather Forecast and Snow Chances
Weather office flags snow chances in higher reaches, no alert for Xmas yet
However, meteorologists advise caution. The Meteorological Centre has indicated that most regions of the state will likely remain clear until December 19. Snowfall is anticipated in higher elevations on December 20 and 21, with upper areas of Manali possibly receiving snow on December 21. Following that, December 22 to 24 is expected to remain clear, and currently, no western disturbance is predicted around December 25.
Despite this, the consistent drop in nighttime temperatures and cold winds in the hills suggest that snowfall cannot be entirely dismissed in higher altitudes. This has resulted in an influx of tourists, with many visitors willing to take a chance in hopes that the weather may become favorable closer to Christmas or New Year.
Meanwhile, Shimla is already preparing for year-end festivities. Mall Road, the Ridge, and Kufri are seeing an increase in hotel bookings. Tourism stakeholders believe that if snowfall occurs in the last week of December, the hill stations could experience record crowds.