Fresh spell of snow, rain from April 16 after 128% surplus rainfall this month in Himachal

After recording a staggering 128 per cent surplus rainfall in the first 12 days of April, Himachal is set for another wet spell from April 16 onwards, with the Meteorological Department issuing a yellow warning for April 17 and 18 forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across many parts of the state.

A fresh feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from April 15, bringing snowfall to higher reaches and rain in the mid-hills on April 16, followed by snowfall and rainfall across the state on April 17 and 18. Despite the precipitation, minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to rise by 2°C to 5°C during this period.

The weather remained mostly dry across the state in the past 24 hours. Minimum temperatures ranged between minus 1°C and 16°C, while maximum temperatures ranged between 12°C and 31°C, down by 2°C to 8°C from the previous day.

Among key stations, minimum temperatures recorded were: Shimla 9°C, Dharamsala 11.2°C, Manali 3.8°C, Kangra 12.6°C, Mandi 12.4°C, Solan 8.5°C, Bilaspur 14°C, Sundernagar 11.5°C, Nahan 11.9°C, Bhuntar 7.7°C, Kalpa 0.6°C, Tabo 0.8°C and Paonta Sahib 16°C. Una was the hottest station with a maximum of 31.2°C, while Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest, recording a minimum of 0.9°C.