Himachal Alert: Rain and Snowfall to Hit State from October 29
IMD predicts rain and light snowfall in Himachal Pradesh from October 29. Check affected districts and temperature updates here.
Residents and travelers in Himachal Pradesh should prepare for a shift in weather as the state is set to witness a spell of rainfall and light snowfall starting October 29. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this wet spell is expected to persist intermittently until October 31, bringing a temporary chill to the region.
Which Areas Will Be Affected?
Shobhit Katiyar, the head of the IMD for Himachal Pradesh, stated that the weather activity will primarily impact several key districts. Light to moderate rainfall is predicted for isolated locations in Sirmaur, Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur on October 29 and 30.
For those in the high-altitude zones, the weather will be even more dramatic. Light snowfall is expected in the higher reaches of Kinnaur, Kullu, and the Spiti region during this period.
Thunderstorm Warning and Safety
While the IMD has clarified that there are no warnings for heavy rainfall or heavy snowfall, they have issued a specific alert for thunderstorm activity. This is likely to affect the lower and adjoining areas, particularly in the districts of Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Mandi, over the next two days.
The Science Behind the Storm
Interestingly, this weather shift is not the result of a typical Western Disturbance. Instead, it is being driven by the remnants of a cyclonic storm that originally crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The storm, which initially made landfall with powerful wind speeds ranging between 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, weakened rapidly as it moved north-northwest. The remnant system is expected to travel through Chhattisgarh and eastern Madhya Pradesh before its influence reaches Himachal Pradesh on October 29, 30, and potentially during the day on October 31.
Temperature Trends and Rainfall Stats
The incoming rain is expected to cause a noticeable dip in daytime temperatures, intensifying the cold conditions across the state. Current temperature trends show:
- Lower Plains: Maximums between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius; minimums between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius.
- Mid-Hill Areas: Maximums between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius (about 1-2 degrees above normal); minimums between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius.
The state has already seen an unusual amount of precipitation recently. Since the monsoon withdrew on October 1, Himachal Pradesh has recorded approximately 28 mm of rainfall, which is about 15 per cent higher than the normal average of 24.6 mm for this period.
When Will the Skies Clear?
The grey skies won't last long. The IMD predicts that weather conditions will improve starting November 1. Clear skies and sunshine are expected to return, leading to a gradual rise in temperatures across the state once the weather system moves away.