Rainfall at isolated places in plains and snowfall in higher reaches of Uttarakhand brought the maximum temperature down, while minimum temperature increased by a few degrees Celsius in the State capital on Sunday.
People in Uttarakhand felt the effects of snowfall in the higher reaches and rain at isolated places in plains due to western disturbances and induced circulations over Jammu Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, said Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre director Vikram Singh. Mussoorie, Chakrata, Dhanaulti and other places received snowfall with light rainfall on Sunday.
The maximum and minimum temperatures in Dehradun were recorded at 12.2°C and 10.4°C respectively. The weather is expected to improve from Monday, Singh added.
Singh further said that Uttarakhand may come under the grip of severe cold conditions from December 26 onwards due to western disturbances and induced circulations over neighbouring States. Moreover, morning rainfall in Dehradun increased the cold forcing people to remain inside their homes.
This has affected routine life especially for older persons who preferred to remain indoors or huddle around wood stoves lit in the
courtyard. Being Sunday and due to cold wave conditions, many roads saw thin traffic in the State Capital. Much expected rainfall was received in the city and Doon residents got relief from dry cold conditions which could invite cough, cold and fever.
Residents woke up in the morning to find the weather changed with drizzling. Many missed their morning walks while others were seen exercising and walking in the morning wrapped in warm clothing.
Singh said that the weather forecast for Dehradun on Monday is partly cloudy sky and thunder cloud development could occur in some areas. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 18°C and 8°C respectively on Monday.
The weather forecast for Uttarakhand is light rain/snow possible at isolated places especially in higher reaches of Uttarakhand. Shallow fog and mist are possible in plains especially Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts of the State.
According to him, areas in higher altitudes like Tapovan, Malari, Joshimath, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Kailash Mansarovar route and Auli have received moderate to heavy snowfall due to western disturbances.
Dehradun received 1.8 mm rainfall while 0.3 mm rainfall was recorded in Tehri. Mussoorie, Chakrata, Dhanaulti and other higher reaches of the district recorded snowfall on Sunday.