Shimla, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, recorded the highest-ever low temperature on Saturday, at 14.4 degrees Celsius. For the last few days, the temperature has gradually risen in the highlands and across the North Indian region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a western disturbance across the North Indian belt over the next 24 hours, with temperatures dropping in the area after a few days.
“The temperatures in most places of Himachal Pradesh are above normal. On Saturday, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous highest for this time of year, at 14.2 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2015. At 29.5 degrees Celsius on February 16, this year, Solan, too, surpassed its previous highest of 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021,” said Surender Paul, head of IMD, Himachal Pradesh.
“The highest maximum temperature at Solan (located at 1,550 metres above sea level), as per our records, was 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021. However, the record was broken on February 16 when the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius,” he added.
“Both the minimum and maximum temperatures in the state are currently 4 to 5 degrees above normal. In some areas, the temperatures are 8 to 10 degrees above normal,” he said.
The temperature is rising in other sections of the state as well, according to Paul, who added that there has been less precipitation this year, which has resulted in higher midday temperatures.
“There was less western disturbance this year and it was particularly weak at higher altitudes, resulting in deficient precipitation and an increase in temperatures in the state. There are many other reasons for the rising temperatures, one of which could be the change in local weather pattern and changing climatic conditions,” Paul added.
Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius over the last 24 hours, its highest for this time of year to far. According to the most recent data, the minimum temperature was also on the warm side on Saturday. Several Himachal hill locations had above-average minimum temperatures, with Dalhousie at 15.2 degrees Celsius and Jubbwrhatti in Shimla at 13 degrees.
Kangra had a minimum temperature of 10.4 degrees Celsius, while Palampur had a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, Narkanda in Shimla had a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius, Kufri had a temperature of 12.9 degrees Celsius, Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district had a temperature of 6.2 degrees Celsius, and Mandi had a temperature of 8.9 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in Manali was 5.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in Nahan, Sirmaur district, was 11.1 degrees Celsius. On Saturday evening, the maximum temperature was 30.4 degrees Celsius in Una, 29.3 degrees in Solan, 28.6 degrees in Chamba, and 29.7 degrees in Bhunter.
Dharamshala had the highest temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Nahan in Sirmaur at 25.3, Mandi at 29.2, Manali at 20, Shimla at 23.2, Dalhousie at 20.6, Kufri at 17.1, and Narkanda at 17.4 degrees Celsius. The IMD has expected snow in the state’s higher elevations and rain in the low and mid hills.
“By tomorrow, the state will be in the grip of another Western Disturbance during which there could be snowfall in the higher reaches after the night of February 20. Following a fresh spell of snowfall and rain, the weather will start clearing again and temperatures are expected to drop,” said Paul.
