Snowfall on the mountains, cold and rain in the plains, increased chill

Cold has intensified its effect in North India. The chill has increased due to snowfall in the mountains and rain in the plains. Cold winds and rain have brought down the temperature in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan including the capital Delhi. At the same time, snowfall in Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has broken the cold record.

Himachal and Uttarakhand: Snowfall’s gift for tourists

• Shimla: The second snowfall of this season before Christmas increased the enthusiasm among the tourists.
• Himachal Pradesh: Three national highways and more than 30 roads were closed due to snowfall in Kufri, Dalhousie, Chamba and Kinnaur.
• Manali: Over 1,000 tourist vehicles stuck in fog.
• Uttarakhand: There is a possibility of light rain in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh on December 24 and snowfall in higher reaches.

Jammu and Kashmir: Record breaking cold

• Srinagar:
  • The mercury dropped to -8.6 degrees Celsius, which was the coldest December night in 50 years.
  • Half an inch thick ice accumulated on Dal Lake.
• Pahalgam and Gulmarg:
  • Minimum temperatures of -5 degrees and -4.8 degrees were recorded respectively.
• Cold wave warning:
  • Cold is likely to intensify further from December 24.
  • The temperature is expected to drop further by 2-3 degrees.

Delhi-NCR: Trouble increased due to rain and cold

• On Monday it was cloudy the whole day and there was light rain in the evening.
• The minimum temperature was recorded at 8.6 degrees Celsius.
• No respite on air quality, AQI remained in severe category at 450.

Cold and rain in the plains

• Punjab and Haryana: Drop in temperature due to cold winds and light rain.
• Uttar Pradesh: It remained cloudy throughout the day in Mathura and Meerut, cold increased.
• Rajasthan: Light rain in Ganganagar, Churu and Pilani.

effect of western disturbance

• Beneficial for crops: Rabi crops will benefit from the rain.
• Prediction:
  • Heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal and Uttarakhand on 27 and 28 December.
  • Chance of rain in Maharashtra and Gujarat also.
  • Warning of hailstorm and gale force winds in northwest India.

forecast for the next few days

• Himachal Pradesh:
  • Snowfall again in higher reaches on 27 and 28 December.
• North India:
  • There is a possibility of stormy winds and hailstorm in north-west India.
• Plains Area:
  • The chill will increase further due to cold winds.