Met Dept predicts light to moderate rain, snowfall today

There’s a forecast for light to moderate rain/snowfall, with a few spells of heavy rain/snowfall at many places, for tomorrow. As per the weather department, a fresh Western Disturbance would hit the region on Sunday evening, and the precipitation would start tomorrow.

However, despite good precipitation in December, the state may end up having less than normal rainfall in the winters from January to March. As per the weather department, there’s a 35-45 per cent probability that the many parts of the state will receive below normal rainfall, except district Kinnaur and some parts of Lahaul-Spiti district which will receive above normal rainfall. Some parts of Chamba, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur districts and adjoining areas of Solan district are likely to receive normal rainfall during the January-March period.

Meanwhile, there is 50-75 per cent probability that the mean minimum temperatures will be above normal over most parts of high hills and adjoining mid hills. The mean minimum temperatures will be below normal over low hills/plain areas of the state. Also, there’s is as 35-45 per cent probability that the mean maximum temperatures will be above normal over most parts of the state, whereas the mean maximum temperatures will be normal over some parts of Una district and adjoining Kangra.

Currently, the state has already seen a surge in both minimum and maximum temperatures over the last few days. Shimla and Manali have recorded their highest minimum temperatures for the month of January over the last 25 years. Shimla also recorded highest maximum temperature in January on back to back days. The weather department attributed the spike in average temperatures to the approaching Western Disturbance, clear skies and change in wind direction.