First snowfall of the season was around Christmas Eve when popular hill station Shimla received scattered snowfall while Srinagar and Gulmarg were left to witness a prolonged dry spell.
Normally, first snowfall of the season occurs in the month of November over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Thereafter, on and off light to moderate snowfall keeps on occurring in the wake of western disturbances as between October and February, western disturbances tend to travel in lower altitude across western Himalayas.
But this year, most of the western disturbance remained in higher latitude and failed to induce any significant cyclonic circulation over Northwest plains. Therefore, snowfall and winter rain remained absent throughout the months of November and December.
However, things have improved and Jammu and Kashmir has been receiving a good spell of snowfall since last few days on account of two successive strong western disturbances.
Owing to these western disturbances, hilly region of North India will be able to witness a long and strong spell of snowfall. Heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh is likely in next 24 hours and again over the weekend.
Due to intermittent rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir since last few days, traffic has been hit as Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for vehicular movement. The highway may remain closed if snowfall continues due to which roads become slippery.
While hilly states will observe snowfall during next few days, northwest plains of India such as Delhi, Punjab and Haryana will also witness light winter rain owing to the change in weather in higher reaches.
Image Credit: timesofindia.com