bringing relief to apple growers while triggering monsoon-like conditions with heavy rains swelling rivers and streams.
Choorhdhar received a thick three feet of fresh snow, while Baghi, Khadrala, and Jalori got around one to one and a half feet. Manali’s Solang Valley recorded over two feet, whereas Narkanda saw a moderate six inches.
Snowfall was also reported from Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Bharmaur, though higher eastern regions received less snow.
Kaza got one and half ft of snow, Sangla two ft, informed locals.
Meanwhile, torrential rains lashed Himachal’s apple-growing belt, raising hopes for a promising apple season. Rivers like Beas, Satluj, and Giri swelled, creating flood-like conditions reminiscent of the monsoons.
Temperature Trends and Rainfall
There was no significant change in minimum temperatures, which mostly remained normal.
However, maximum temperatures plunged 5-15°C below normal, with Keylong recording the lowest at -6.9°C and Dehra Gopipur registering the highest at 22°C.
Significant rainfall was recorded in:
Bhuntar (112.2 mm)
Jot (108.8 mm)
Jogindernagar (108 mm)
Seobagh (106 mm)
Banjar (92 mm)
Dharamshala (85.2 mm)
Manali (82 mm)
Palampur (75.6 mm)
Rampur (60 mm)
Snowfall figures include:
Khadrala (20 cm)
Kothi (15 cm)
Nichar (5 cm)
Jot (4 cm)
Kufri (trace amounts)
Weather Extremes and Forecast
Severe cold conditions prevailed in Una (7.2°C, -8.0°C deviation), Chamba (7.6°C, -14.3°C deviation), and Mandi (7.3°C, -14.6°C deviation).
Gusty winds hit Tabo and Berthin (42.6 kmph) and Bilaspur (37 kmph).
Dense fog reduced visibility to 150m in Sundernagar and 500m in Mandi.
Thunderstorms struck Palampur, Kangra, Shimla, Jot, and Bhuntar.
Upcoming Weather
A fresh Western Disturbance is expected to impact Northwest India from March 2, bringing isolated thunderstorms with lightning on March 3-4. Dry weather will likely prevail thereafter.
With a mix of heavy snowfall, rains, and falling temperatures, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a dynamic weather pattern that could impact travel but bodes well for agriculture, especially apple orchards.
