No rain in October, temps remain higher than normal

There has been no rain in October but temperatures have been higher than normal on most days. The rain deficiency has been as high as 97 per cent, with several districts logging 100 per cent (no rain at all). And there’s little possibility of rainfall over the next few days as well. The weather will be dry until November 5, as per the Meteorological Department.

At present, the average minimum temperatures are above normal and the average maximum temperatures are appreciably above normal in the state. Several places are recording maximum temperatures above 30°C. While Una recorded the highest maximum temperature of 32.8°C today, the other places recording above 30°C included Sundernagar, Kangra, Bhuntar, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Neri. Even Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 23.8°C, which was 4.3°C above normal.

Overall, the average maximum temperatures are at present 2.9°C above normal.

The average minimum temperatures are 2.3°C above normal. The average minimum temperatures have surged the most in Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie. While the deviation from the normal temperature is 3.2°C in Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie, the minimum temperatures are up from normal by 3.6°C and 4.2°C. The lowest temperature at Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti district was minus 1.7°C.