Fresh Snowfall Revives Winter Cheer Across Himachal Pradesh
Weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh have taken a wintry turn, with snowfall beginning across several high- and mid-hill areas of Lahaul–Spiti district. According to reports, fresh snow was recorded at Rohtang Pass, the Udaipur valley, and a few surrounding regions on Friday. Meanwhile, thick cloud cover lingered over Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts, while cold wave conditions swept through many high- and mid-altitude areas, pushing both day and night temperatures downward.
The changing weather has brought renewed hope for farmers, local residents, and tourists alike. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shimla has issued a fresh forecast, predicting light to moderate precipitation at isolated places across the mid- and high-hill regions of Himachal Pradesh from January 16 to 21, 2026. Snowfall and rainfall are expected in several parts of the state, offering much-needed relief after a prolonged dry spell and delighting those eagerly awaiting winter precipitation.
According to the IMD, this shift is being driven by active western disturbances affecting the western Himalayan region from Friday onward. These systems are likely to bring intermittent snow and rain over the next few days, up to January 21. While the plains and lower hill areas are expected to remain dry until January 18, light rainfall may occur there on January 19 and 20.
Temperature extremes were also recorded during the past 24 hours. Kukumseri village in Lahaul and Spiti district emerged as the coldest location in the state, with a minimum temperature of minus 6.2°C, while Solan recorded the highest maximum temperature at a relatively mild 23.5°C.
