Even as more snowfall is expected in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh in the next dew days, the minimum temperatures hovered above normal level in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, the MeT department said on Saturday.
In Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two States, the minimum temperature hovered three notches above normal at 12.2 degrees Celsius, the department reported. In Haryana, Ambala recorded a low of 14.1 degrees Celsius, up five degrees from normal.Karnal recorded a low of 11.6 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, while Bhiwani's minimum settled at 13.6 degrees Celsius.
In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 9.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, the weatherman said. Patiala registered a minimum of 12.5 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal, while ludhiana's low settled at 11.7 degrees Celsius, up by three degrees.
The Meteorological department has forecast mainly sunny days over the next few days in both the States.However, the situation in Himachal Pradesh is entirely different. The hills of the state, which saw snow and rain in the past four days, would be in line for more precipitation next week, said the Met office.
“The western disturbances will be quite active in the Himalayan region and its adjoining plains from February 23, which would ultimately bring more rainfall and snowfall,” an official of the meteorological department said.
“There are chances of widespread rain and snow from Feb 24-25 and most of the prominent tourist towns like Kufri, Narkanda, Manali and Kalpa may get more snowfall,” he said.
Kalpa, some 250 km from the State capital was the coldest place in the State with the temperature as low as minus seven degrees and received 34 cm snow in the past 24 hours.
Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 5.7 degrees, Keylong in lahaul-Spiti recorded 4.3 degrees, Manali minus 2 degrees, Dalhousie 2.6 degrees and Dharamshala recorded 6.8 degrees. Tourists are flocking to the popular hill stations to have a view of the snow clad mountains.