Fresh snowfall likely, rain forecast till March 17 in Himachal

The higher reaches of Himachal are likely to witness another spell of fresh snowfall, while other parts of the state are expected to receive rainfall till March 17. The Meteorological Department has issued yellow weather warnings for several districts over the next few days.

According to the department, a yellow alert has been issued for Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra and Chamba districts for March 12, with the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by hail, lightning and gusty winds at isolated places.

While the weather is expected to remain dry in the low and mid-hill areas on March 13, another spell of rain and snowfall is likely across the state from March 14 onwards due to the influence of a fresh western disturbance.

Minimum temperatures are also likely to fall by 2°C to 4°C in many parts of the state over the next few days. Similarly, maximum temperatures may drop by 3°C to 5°C during the same period.

Meanwhile, the higher hills received very light rainfall during the past 24 hours, while the weather remained mostly dry in most parts of the state. Minimum temperatures were recorded 3°C to 9°C above normal, ranging between 1°C and 19°C. Maximum temperatures were also above normal by 2°C to 11°C, ranging between 15°C and 33°C.

Shimla, the state capital, recorded a minimum temperature of 13.6°C, while Dharamsala recorded 12.8°C. Tourist destination Manali recorded 11.2°C, Kangra 17.5°C, Mandi 15.9°C, Solan 10.2°C, Bilaspur 16°C, Kalpa 5.8°C, Sundernagar 13.4°C, Bhuntar 14.2°C, Kasauli 16°C, Kufri 9°C, Nahan 13.8°C, Paonta Sahib 18°C, Kukumseri 4.6°C and Keylong 4.2°C.

With a maximum temperature of 33.2°C, Una was the hottest place in the state, while Tabo in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest, recording a minimum temperature of 1.4°C.