Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: As tourists head to Himachal Pradesh hoping to soak in winter chill, festive cheer and a possible spell of snowfall, the big question doing the rounds is will Shimla and Manali witness a white Christmas this year? For holidaymakers planning year-end trips to the hills, the answer holds key to their festive expectations.
For now, Shimla is offering pleasant winter days with a steady dip in temperatures. The weather has remained largely clear, while the cold has gradually intensified.
The seven-day forecast suggests that from December 18 to 23, Shimla is likely to witness clear to partly cloudy skies. Minimum temperatures are expected to hover between 8°C and 11°C, while maximum temperatures may range from 18°C to 21°C. No weather warning has been issued so far.
The Meteorological Centre, Shimla, said that weather across Himachal Pradesh has remained clear over the past 24 hours, with maximum temperatures recorded above normal at several places. Shimla reported a maximum temperature of 20.5°C, around six degrees higher than usual, while Kalpa recorded 17.3°C, nearly eight degrees above normal. Lower hill districts also saw temperatures 3-4 degrees above average.
Manali hoteliers pin hopes on snowfall as Christmas bookings pick up
In Manali, the festive buzz has begun to build up despite the wait for snowfall. A local hotelier said that queries for Christmas bookings have started coming in and hotels have begun decking up for the festive season.
“Live music, bonfires, theme parties and traditional Himachali cuisine are being planned to welcome tourists during Christmas and New Year,” he said, adding that business is expected to pick up sharply closer to the holidays.
According to the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurants Association, hotel occupancy in Manali is currently around 70%, with expectations of reaching full capacity around Christmas and New Year. A federation office-bearer said Manali usually witnesses snowfall between December 15 and 31, keeping hopes alive for a white Christmas.
Past trends also fuel optimism: Manali saw snowfall around Christmas in 2024 and 2023, offering visitors the classic white Christmas experience. Historically, the town has often received snow during the latter half of December, including a notable white Christmas in 2013.
Weather office flags snow chances in higher reaches, no alert for Xmas yet
However, weather experts urge caution. The Meteorological Centre has indicated that most parts of the state will continue to see clear weather till December 19. Snowfall is likely in higher reaches on December 20 and 21, with upper areas of Manali possibly receiving snow on December 21. Beyond that, December 22 to 24 is expected to remain clear, and as of now, no western disturbance is forecast around December 25.
Even so, the steady drop in night temperatures and cold winds in the hills mean snowfall cannot be completely ruled out in higher elevations. This has led to a surge in tourist arrivals, with many visitors willing to take a chance in the hope that weather may turn favourable closer to Christmas or New Year.
Shimla, meanwhile, is already gearing up for year-end celebrations. Mall Road, the Ridge and Kufri are witnessing a rise in hotel bookings. Tourism stakeholders say that if snowfall occurs in the last week of December, the hill stations could see record crowds.
