Cold wave tightens grip as Himachal freezes ; Tabo plunges to –5.3°C

Himachal Pradesh slipped further into an early winter freeze on Friday, with minimum temperatures across the State settling nearly two degrees below normal and several high-altitude pockets witnessing a sharp intensification of the cold wave. The deep-freeze was most severe in the tribal stretches, where mercury levels have now firmly entered mid-winter territory despite the season still weeks away.

Tabo in Lahaul–Spiti once again stood out as the coldest point in the State, recording a bone-numbing –5.3°C, according to the morning bulletin of the Meteorological Centre, Shimla. Nearby Keylong continued its sub-zero run at –3.6°C, while Kukumseri dipped to –4°C, signalling a steady slide in overnight temperatures across the region. Kalpa in Kinnaur registered 0.4°C, underlining the sustained night-time cooling in the upper hills.

Tourist hotspot Manali shivered at 1.9°C, reflecting a sharp nocturnal drop that surprised early-morning travellers and hotel operators gearing up for the winter rush.

The cold wave extended beyond the higher reaches, tightening its grip over the mid and lower hills as well. Shimla, Dharamshala and Bilaspur shared an identical minimum of 8°C, considerably below the seasonal average. In the interiors, Bhuntar Airport clocked 2.8°C, Solan 3.2°C, Narkanda 3.8°C, Hamirpur 5.3°C and Mandi 6.2°C, while popular getaway Kasauli settled at 9.8°C. Jubberhatti Airport also reported a chilly 8.6°C, with Una, Palampur, Kangra and Nahan staying in the lower single digits to near-normal range.

A patch of moderate fog in parts of Bilaspur reduced visibility to nearly 300 metres, prompting advisories for cautious movement along stretches prone to early-morning mist.

The IMD said that the present conditions have been shaped by clear skies, prolonged night hours and the influence of an upper-level western disturbance positioned over Ladakh and adjoining regions, which has encouraged rapid nocturnal cooling.

With the State observing completely dry weather over the past 24 hours, the meteorological outlook suggests no major shift in the immediate future. The seven-day forecast indicates stable, dry conditions across Himachal Pradesh without any weather-related warnings. However, the cold wave is likely to persist, particularly over the tribal belts and high-altitude pockets, where temperatures are expected to stay 2–5°C below normal through the coming week.

As winter approaches, residents in both high and mid hills may need to brace for an extended spell of below-average temperatures even before the season formally sets in.