Fresh snow in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on New Year’s Day brought welcome relief to farmers and orchardists and added a festive touch for tourists at hill stations. Several high-altitude pockets recorded snowfall after light flurries were reported in the state on 31 December.
Himachal Pradesh first snow brightens high-altitude districts
Snowfall was reported in Sissu, Koksar and other areas of the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, and in remote parts of Kinnaur such as Chitkul and the Sangla valley. Popular destinations Manali and Dalhousie also received fresh snow, prompting scenes of celebration among visitors who had arrived for New Year’s festivities. Short videos showing people enjoying the falling snow circulated widely on social media.
Authorities confirmed that snowfall also occurred at the Atal Tunnel, a key tourist route, though police advised travellers to avoid venturing into snow-bound areas as a precaution. In contrast, Shimla saw only a cloudy day with a brief spell of drizzle in the afternoon, which partially ended a dry run of more than two months in the hill town. Kasauli recorded rainfall accompanied by hail.
The State Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather across Himachal Pradesh until 7 January. With this pattern expected to persist, minimum temperatures across the state are predicted to rise by 2°C to 5°C over the next five days, while daytime maxima are likely to climb by 3°C to 6°C.
Local temperature readings varied considerably following the snowfall. Shimla registered a minimum of 4°C, Dharamsala 5°C and Manali 5.1°C. Other overnight lows included Mandi at 6.7°C, Kangra 5.5°C, Solan 3.2°C, Bilaspur 7.5°C, Hamirpur 5.2°C and Kalpa 2.1°C. Sundernagar recorded 5.8°C, Bhuntar 5°C, Nahan 7.9°C and Una 8.5°C. Higher-altitude stations saw colder conditions: Kufri dipped to 1.5°C, Narkanda to 0.5°C and Reckong Peo to 2.8°C.
Bajaura village in Kullu district was the warmest recorded location with a maximum temperature of 20.3°C, while Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest at −3.4°C. These variations reflect the state’s complex topography, where elevation drives sharp local differences in temperature and precipitation.
The snowfall is timely for orchardists who depend on winter chill for crops such as apples, though officials caution that heavy or prolonged snow can disrupt transport and supply lines in remote areas. Police and local administration teams remain on alert to respond to any incidents on mountain roads and to assist stranded travellers.
Tourism stakeholders welcomed the snowfall, saying it has boosted bookings at home stays and hotels in affected areas, at least for the short term. Residents and visitors were urged to observe safety advisories, carry appropriate warm clothing and check local travel updates before setting out to higher reaches.
Key Takeaways:
- Himachal Pradesh first snow ushered in fresh snowfall across high-altitude districts including Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Manali and Dalhousie.
- The weather pleased farmers and orchardists, while tourists recorded videos of snowfall at popular spots and the Atal Tunnel.
- Shimla saw only light drizzle; the State Meteorological Department forecasts dry conditions until 7 January with gradual warming.
- Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to rise over the next five days, with local readings ranging from −3.4°C to 20.3°C.
