Fresh western disturbance likely to become active from December 30
Pallavi Sharma
SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: Dark clouds are gathering over Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla and other popular hill stations, signalling a dramatic shift in weather just as the New Year approaches.
With a fresh western disturbance set to move in, the weatherman has flagged a crucial window for rain and snow, turning the festive break into a mix of excitement and caution for residents and tourists alike.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, a fresh western disturbance is likely to become active from December 30. Its impact is expected to bring light to moderate rain and snowfall across mid and high hill areas, while even the plains could see showers on December 31 and January 1, marking a weather-altered start to 2025.
Dense to very dense fog alert for lower hills, plains
For now, December 29 is expected to remain largely dry across the state. Dense to very dense fog is likely to blanket the plains and lower hill regions during late night and early morning hours, prompting an alert in seven districts.
The weather office has warned that parts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur may witness visibility dropping below 50 metres. Bilaspur faces an orange alert for very dense fog, raising concerns over road safety and early-morning travel.
Meteorologists have indicated that minimum temperatures may rise slightly over the next 48 hours, but the picture is expected to change sharply once the western disturbance sets in. Temperatures could fall by 2 to 6 degrees Celsius thereafter, with conditions turning severe in mid and higher altitudes. Cold day and cold wave-like situations may also develop in some hill districts.
Hotels jam-packed for New Year celebrations
Issuing a vital advisory, the department has urged motorists to drive cautiously in fog-prone areas, maintain low speeds and use fog lights. People have been advised to dress warmly, limit exposure to cold and take special care of children and the elderly, especially if cold wave conditions intensify.
From a tourism perspective, the changing weather could add to Himachal’s New Year charm. The possibility of snowfall has raised expectations in destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Kufri, Narkanda and Lahaul-Spiti, where tourist footfall is likely to increase.
