Early Snowfall Over Uttarakhand-Himachal: Plains Get Nip In The Air

Key Takeaways:

• Higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have received an early first snowfall of the season.
• Chitkul recorded nearly 3 inches of snow, while Hemkund Sahib received around half a foot of snowfall.
• Cold winds from the mountains have brought cooler conditions across Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, with Delhi recording a September minimum of 21°C after 18 years.
• The western disturbance is expected to clear the mountains by tomorrow, with largely clear weather likely across North India for the rest of the week.
• Forecast Validity: Next 5-7 days.

The western disturbance moved across the northern mountains over the weekend. The remnant of the system still affects the region and is followed by another upper-air trough. Weather activity will continue across Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh today. The plains of Punjab and Haryana, more so the foothills and mid and higher reaches of Uttarakhand, will also get cloudy skies and scattered rain showers during the next 24 hours. Weather conditions will improve late in the day tomorrow and stay good for the rest of the week.

[Check your local weather forecast here]

The mid and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand received early, first snowfall of the season. The Kinnaur region, with elevations varying between 8,000’ and 20,000’, received the first snow of the season. Kuno-Chirang, almost the last village close to the Tibet border, was sprayed white with snowflakes. Lahaul and Spiti Valley, having altitudes between 12,000’ and 14,000’, was blanketed with the season’s first snowfall. Chitkul, along the route to Dumti, recorded nearly 3” of snowfall, rather early in the season.

In Uttarakhand, the higher reaches of both Garhwal and Kumaon received the season’s first snowfall. The pilgrim place Hemkund Sahib received half a foot of snow. Kedarnath shrine and the Badrinath-Satopanth trekking route also had early snowfall over a wide area. The elevated pockets of Chamoli district witnessed the maiden spell of snow, quite early in the season. The ‘Char Dham Yatra’ was suspended as a precautionary measure, and people were rescued from landslide zones at different places along the route.

The cold winds blowing down the slopes of the mountains have added a nip in the air across the plains of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 21°C in September after a gap of 18 years. Similar temperatures were observed across the foothills and plains of the northern states.

The western disturbance is likely to clear the mountains by tomorrow. However, the flavour of mild chill will continue for another couple of days and recede around the weekend. Clear weather conditions are likely for both the hills and plains of North India for the rest of the week.

Trending:

El Nino Unstoppable: Peak Likely In November