Fresh snowfall across Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand has brought winter back into focus in North India. It has transformed mountain destinations into snow-covered landscapes and setting the tone for peak winter travel across the region.
Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and is expected to continue through the weekend, along with spells of heavy rain in several regions. Weather officials have issued a snowfall alert for the state, which had recorded only about 3 cm of precipitation earlier this month. So, this incoming weather could help revive tourism across the hill region till January 24th.
Higher-altitude regions such as Lahaul and Spiti Valley have also started receiving fresh heavy snow, while areas including Chamba, Kinnaur, and Kullu are also witnessing snowfall. Mid-hill regions around Mandi remain under a yellow alert as the weather system continues to move across the state.
Meanwhile, the neighboring Jammu and Kashmir region is already experiencing significant snowfall. Heavy snow hit high-altitude areas on Friday, forcing authorities to shut the Jammu-Srinagar highway and close schools. The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine received its first snow, temporarily halting the pilgrimage.
In Uttarakhand, the upper hills across Garhwal and Kumaun are receiving fresh snowfall, particularly in areas situated above 2,000 metres. Several districts have announced weather-related closures as authorities warn of difficult travel conditions and safety risks posed by the ongoing spell.
Snowfall in Himachal, Jammu, & Uttarakhand: Key Highlights
- January 23-24: Moderate to heavy snowfall across the hills of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, with most areas witnessing precipitation.
- January 24: Strong winds reaching 40-60 km/h may sweep through the mountain regions, making conditions feel much colder and creating challenges for those on the road.
- January 25: The snowfall will begin to ease and become patchy, though higher altitude zones could still see significant accumulation.
- January 26-28: More rain and snow predicted across J&K(moderate to heavy snow), Ladakh, Himachal and Uttarakhand
- Jammu-Srinagar highway suspended due to snow fall.
- Higher regions like Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Kullu to receive snowfall; lower areas including Una, Bilaspur, and Kangra to face heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms.
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Himachal Pradesh Weather Forecast
The Director of the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, Katiyar, mentioned temperatures could fall by 6-8 degrees, bringing a cold wave statewide. He mentioned that another weather system is expected to hit the region from January 26 to 28, which could bring more rain and snow to the area.
Until now, the absence of consistent snowfall at hill stations this winter had slowed tourism. But this fresh spell of snowfall in Himachal Pradesh has brought a wave of excitement among travelers, especially for the ones travelling this long weekend.
The unusually dry weather had also kept mountain passes open longer than normal this year. Rohtang Pass snow, which usually closes by October or November, was open until January.
Snowfall in Jammu: Roads Closed, Schools Shut
Heavy snow hit the high-altitude parts of Jammu region on Friday, forcing authorities to shut down major roads like the Jammu-Srinagar highway and close schools in the hilly areas.
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Trikuta hills received its first snow of the season, prompting officials to halt the pilgrimage temporarily. Meanwhile, the plains including Jammu city saw steady rainfall, ending a dry spell that had lasted over two months.
Just as the weather department predicted, snow began falling in the higher areas late Thursday evening, with rain continuing through the night in lower regions like Jammu city.
Districts like Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, and Kathua saw continuous snowfall, with accumulation ranging from five inches to over a foot in the snowbound zones.
These areas had seen some snow back in late December too, and this fresh spell came as a relief to residents. The 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which is the main route for connecting Kashmir to the rest of India, had to be closed due to the snowfall.
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Uttarakhand's Champawat Witnesses Snowfall After Two-Year Gap
Rain and snowfall have brought relief to the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand as the weather takes a turn. Late Friday night, high-altitude areas of Nainital, Uttarakashi, Mussorie, Tehri Garhwal received the first spell of snowfall this year. Champawat district has received snowfall after a gap of two years, much to the delight of locals and visitors alike.
The peaks of Abbott Mount, Mayawati Ashram, Manadhura, and Jhuma in the Lohaghat region woke up to a white blanket of snow on 24, Jan, this saturday morning. Excited residents and tourists rushed out with their phones to capture the picturesque scenes, with the snow staying frozen on the mountains well into the day.
Authorities have stepped up efforts to ensure safety, with police, traffic personnel, and the Public Works Department deployed across key routes to manage the situation and assist travellers.
Weather Alert: More Rain and Snow Predicted
According to the India Meteorological Department, more rain is expected with snowfall in Ladakh, Kashmir and across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The IMD explained that a weather system is currently sitting over Pakistan and nearby areas, creating a circulation pattern in the lower atmosphere that extends upward through different atmospheric layers.
Another circulation has developed over central Rajasthan, which is likely to affect the weather across northwest India over the next few days.
