The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy snow in middle and higher reaches of the state, besides a warning for thunderstorms in isolated places, in seven districts of the state on January 31 and February 1 (2024). A similar alert for heavy rain has been issued for the lower reaches. The change in weather pattern is on account of a fresh western disturbance getting active over Himachal.
“Heavy snow likely to occur at isolated places on January 31 in the districts of Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Kangra, Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti; and on February 1 in the districts of Chamba, Kullu, Kangra and Lahaul & Spiti. Disruptions of essential services, such as water and electricity, communications and related services are likely. Visibility conditions very likely to decrease.
Follow advisories and guidelines issued by the departments concerned. Take adequate safety measures,” said the department in a statement. In the remaining five districts of Sirmaur, Solan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una, a yellow alert for thunderstorm and lightening at isolated places has been issued for the two days.
Though a forecast for rain and snow was issued for isolated parts on January 1 as well, the day started with a clear sunshine in most parts of the state.
In a departure from typical weather patterns, temperatures have soared across various regions. Aside from Queen of Hills Shimla, several key areas, including Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Kalpa, Dharamshala, Manali, Mandi and Bilaspur have experienced unusually warm temperatures.
Shimla, despite a marginal decrease of 1.2 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours, saw a maximum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, which stood 2.9 degrees above the normal average. Sundernagar recorded temperatures 2.6 degrees above the norm, peaking at 20.9 degrees Celsius, while Bhuntar experienced a 4.2-degree deviation, registering at 20.6 degrees Celsius.
The mercury in Kalpa soared an astonishing 6 degrees higher than usual, settling at 11.5 degrees Celsius, while Dharamshala recorded 19.5 degrees Celsius, surpassing the norm by 3.2 degrees. Similarly, Una recorded 23.4 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees above average, and in Manali it reached 13.5 degrees Celsius, marking a 2.8-degree deviation from the norm. Mandi and Bilaspur followed suit, with temperatures clocking in at 20.4 degrees Celsius and 22.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, both exceeding the usual averages by 2.4 and 3.3 degrees.
Even popular tourist destinations such as Dalhousie, Kukumseri, Reckong Peo, Seobagh and Samdho have experienced deviations from the seasonal norms, with temperatures varying from 9.9 to 18.9 degrees Celsius.
Conversely, night temperatures have plummeted below the expected averages across most regions in the state. Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 4.2 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal. Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Kalpa recorded minimum temperatures of 2.2, 1.9, and -2.6 degrees Celsius, respectively, indicating a departure from the typical nighttime conditions.
