Winter Magic in Himachal: Snow Delights Visitors, But Fog and Chill Bring Hardship

Himachal Pradesh woke up to a picture-perfect winter scene on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, as fresh snowfall blanketed the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, and Solang Nullah. The white cover delighted tourists but also deepened the cold wave across the state, pushing temperatures further down and making life harsher in both the hills and plains.

Light to moderate snowfall around Solang Nullah and the south portal of the Atal Tunnel created slippery roads, prompting authorities to restrict ordinary vehicles beyond Solang. Only four-wheel drives were allowed towards Lahaul, ensuring safety amid the icy conditions.

Tourists, however, flocked to Solang Nullah in large numbers, soaking in the snow-clad scenery. The rush led to traffic congestion up to Nehru Kund, though movement was restored later in the day once the weather eased. Near Dhoondi, several vehicles were briefly stranded, but police and local administration stepped in quickly to assist commuters and regulate traffic. Officials urged visitors to heed advisories and avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound areas.

Tribal Areas Freeze: Tabo Records Season’s Coldest Night

The cold wave tightened its grip on Himachal’s tribal belt. Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti shivered through the season’s coldest night at minus 10.8°C, while Kukumseri dipped to minus 7.1°C. Keylong, Kalpa, and other high-altitude regions remained well below freezing, underscoring the severity of winter in the higher reaches.

Lower hills and plains weren’t spared either. Shimla recorded a minimum of 2.5°C, with Solan, Palampur, Sundernagar, and Mandi hovering close to freezing. Bright sunshine during the day offered some relief, but nights remained bitterly cold.

Fog Adds to the Challenge in Plains

Dense fog continued to blanket Una, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur, reducing visibility and making travel risky.Though the vehicle was badly damaged, all five passengers escaped unharmed thanks to airbags.

Forecast: More Chill Ahead

The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has predicted light snowfall in isolated higher reaches over the next 24 hours, followed by clearer skies from January 7 to 12. Yet, icy winds will keep the cold wave alive. A yellow alert for dense fog has been issued for seven districts — Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur — until January 10. Minimum temperatures may drop another 2–3°C before gradually rising later in the week.