The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) data has revealed that the state of Himachal Pradesh is experiencing unseasonal snowfall and rains in recent days. This has made the first nine days of May the coldest and wettest after a gap of 36 years. The average minimum and maximum temperatures were found to be below normal to appreciably below normal during this period. Dharamshala recorded the coldest night after 14 years with the minimum temperature being 8.4°C on May 1 and 8. Keylong reported a temperature of minus 2.6°C on May 9, breaking the previous record of minus 1.6°C on May 2, 2019.
The frequent western disturbance, the weather phenomenon which brings rain in the northwest Himalayas during winters in April, led to the state recording 63% surplus rains. While the higher reaches witnessed subzero temperatures, major towns like Shimla, Manali, Kalpa, Dharamshala, Una and Palampur have recorded lowest day and night temperatures.
The MeT department has forecasted another spell of snow and rain from May 12 with a yellow alert for thunderstorm and lightning on May 13 and 14. Bharmour in Chamba experienced 5.4mm rainfall followed by 4mm in state capital Shimla and 2.8mm in Nichar.
Himachal Pradesh receives 15% of its annual rainfall during the winter season, 19.3% during the pre-monsoon season, 59.0% during the southwest monsoon season and 6.7% during the post-monsoon season. It is vital that the state receives considerable rainfall during the winter and pre monsoon seasons as well.