Himachal Pradesh weather update: Yellow alert for rain, snow on January 31, February 1

Day temperature continues to remain above normal in several parts

The Newz Radar

SHIMLA: The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow warning for rain, snowfall and thunderstorms in isolated parts of the state on January 31 and February 1. Though a forecast for rain and snow was also for January 1, 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.