Shimla, April 12,
Just when the northern plains begin to feel like a furnace, Himachal Pradesh pulls the ultimate April surprise—blanketing its peaks with fresh snow and drenching its valleys in rain. From Shimla to Dharamshala, and Dalhousie to Lahaul-Spiti, the state witnessed a dramatic weather twist on Friday, complete with thunderstorms, hail, and even snowfall in the higher reaches. The result? A sudden and stunning drop in temperature that’s turned the hill state into the perfect escape for heat-weary souls from the plains.
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On Friday, while Una touched a searing 36.4°C, the mercury plummeted to a bone-chilling 6.1°C in Keylong. Bhuntar saw the most jaw-dropping change—dropping by 10.8°C in just 24 hours. The state average dipped by 4.3°C, offering a cool contrast to the blazing plains already roasting above 38°C.
Rainfall reports included 37 mm in Dharamshala, 21 mm in Dalhousie, and 7 mm each in Shimla and Kangra. The skies stayed moody, with thick clouds, powerful gusts, and lightning flashes painting a dramatic backdrop across the hills.
For tourists lucky enough to already be in the region, it’s been nothing short of magical. Think steaming chai with a view of snow-laced peaks—while folks back home are sweating it out.
Even for Saturday, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for several districts, cautioning of thunderstorms and winds up to 40 km/h. An orange alert has also been sounded for isolated hailstorm activity in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Mandi.
In Lahaul-Spiti, fresh snowfall disrupted travel near the Atal Tunnel. The north portal saw relentless snow, while the south portal and Dhundhi area reported falling stones and snow piles making roads risky. Traffic on the Manali-Dhundhi stretch slowed to a crawl, though officials expect conditions to improve shortly.
A Word of Caution
Authorities have urged travellers to avoid unnecessary movement and reach destinations early. Drivers, especially on high-altitude routes like NH-003, are advised to stay alert.
Himachal continues to offer a refreshing contrast to the simmering plains. For anyone dreaming of a cool breeze, a quiet mountain view, and a temporary escape from the heatwave below—this might just be the moment to head uphill. Himachal’s back in winter mode. And it’s calling.
