The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: A western disturbance is set to be active in Himachal Pradesh starting on Friday (December 22, 2023), bringing with it the anticipation of rain and snowfall in the mountainous region over the next 48 hours. The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has predicted the possibility of snowfall in high-altitude areas on December 22 and 23, while other regions may experience rain.
The return of cold weather is expected in the mountains, creating excitement among tourists from across the country who are eagerly anticipating the prospect of a white Christmas. Although the weather is currently clear on Christmas day, the occurrence of substantial snowfall on Friday or Saturday could fulfill the wishes of tourists who have come to the state to witness the enchanting snowfall during the festive season.
In light of the Meteorological Department’s forecast for snowfall, the government has issued a cautionary advisory to tourists, urging them to avoid venturing into high-altitude areas. Such precautions are essential to prevent potential life-threatening situations. Just recently, on December 17, despite local warnings, some tourists proceeded towards Losar in a car and found themselves stranded for two days after the vehicle slipped.
Over the past two to three days, the mountains have experienced pleasant weather due to rain and snowfall, leading to an increase in the overall temperature of the state compared to the average. Places such as Shimla, Kalpa, Dalhousie and Keylong have witnessed temperatures soaring 6 to 7 degrees above normal. Shimla, in particular, recorded a maximum temperature of 19.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing the average by 6.2 degrees. This marks a significant deviation from the 2016 record when Shimla registered a temperature of 22.3 degrees Celsius on December 21.
Kalpa’s temperature has risen to 14.3 degrees, 6.3 degrees above normal, Dalhousie recorded 20.7 degrees, an increase of 6.1 degrees above normal, and Keylong reached 10 degrees Celsius, 7 degrees above normal. Keylong experienced a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, a record-breaking occurrence that hadn’t been witnessed after December 20.
With the exception of Chamba, temperatures in all other cities across the state are above normal. The minimum temperatures are also higher than average at most locations. As the Western Disturbance becomes active, temperatures are expected to drop, heralding the return of colder weather to the mountains.
The tourism industry and local horticulturists are eagerly awaiting the anticipated rain and snowfall. Both tourism and horticulture are closely tied to snowfall, with its occurrence acting as a rejuvenating tonic for both sectors. Given their significant contributions to Himachal’s GDP, the forecast of snowfall has sparked optimism among tourism businesses and gardeners alike.
