Cold conditions have returned to Himachal Pradesh on Sunday with the State’s higher reaches experiencing more snowfall, while mid and low hills had widespread rainfall.
The minimum temperatures, however, soared several notches above normal in neighbouring State of Punjab and Haryana. An official in Shimla Meteorological Department said that the temperature remained near the freezing point in many places in the State.
State capital Shimla — which saw a low of five degrees Celsius — was lashed by rain, while Kalpa experienced nine cm of snow. Keylong,headquarters of lahaul and Spiti district, also witnessed nine cm snow.
lower areas of Himachal Pradesh, including Dhar-amsala, Palampur, Solan, Nahan, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi towns received moderate rain, bringing down the temperature considerably.
Keylong recorded a low of minus 2.1 degree Celsius while it was minus 0.6 degree in Kalpa, minus 1.6 degree in Manali, 3.8 degrees in Dalhousie, 2.4 degrees in Kufri and 8.6 degrees in Dharamsala.
Manali experienced 45.6 mm rain, the highest in the State. However, hills overlooking the town had more snow.
He added the weather will largely be dry in the coming week in Himachal.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures were recorded several notches above normal in Punjab and Haryana.
Chandigarh recorded minimum temperature at 14.6 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal. The maximum temperature settled at 27 degrees. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 8.7 degrees Celsius while ludhiana’s minimum temperature settled at 12.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. Patiala recorded minimum temperature at 14.5 degrees, four degrees above normal.
Ambala in Haryana recorded a minimum temperature of 17.5 degrees Celsius while Hisar and Karnal recorded lows of 13.4 degrees and 15.5 degree Celsius respectively. The minimum temperatures at Narnaul and Bhiwani settled at 14.9 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius respectively.