Last Updated:January 22, 2026, 20:29 IST

Higher reaches including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Kullu are likely to receive snowfall, while a yellow alert has been issued for Mandi and other mid-hill regions

From January 1 to January 19, Himachal recorded just 3 centimetres of rain and snowfall. (PTI)

With a long weekend coinciding with a snowfall alert, Himachal Pradesh is set to witness a spell of wet and wintry weather from January 23, raising hopes of a revival in tourist activity across the hill state.

An orange alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and snowfall has been issued for January 23 across Himachal Pradesh, indicating widespread precipitation. The information was shared by Director of the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, Shobhit Katiyar. He said rain and snowfall are expected across the state from January 23 till the morning of January 24.

According to the MeT centre, higher reaches including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Kullu are likely to receive snowfall, while a yellow alert has been issued for Mandi and other mid-hill regions. Solan, Bilaspur and Sirmaur may experience hailstorms and strong winds, whereas lower areas are expected to receive rain.

Katiyar noted that temperatures could drop by 6-8 degrees Celsius on January 23, leading to a sharp cold wave across the state. He also pointed out that winter precipitation has remained significantly below normal so far. From January 1 to January 19, Himachal recorded just 3 centimetres of rain and snowfall, which is 94% less than the seasonal average. A similar dry spell was observed in 2022 as well.

He added that another western disturbance is likely to affect the region between January 26 and 28, bringing further chances of rain and snowfall.

The prolonged lack of snowfall this winter has had a visible impact on tourism, with no snow reported so far in popular destinations such as Narkanda, Shimla and Manali. Tourist footfall has remained lower than usual, though some visitors continue to arrive in the hope of snowfall during the long weekend.

Unseasonably dry conditions have also kept high-altitude routes open longer than usual. The Rohtang Pass, which typically closes by October or November, remained open till January this year due to the absence of heavy snowfall. With Rohtang still largely snow-free, tourists visiting Manali are now heading further towards the Shinkula Pass to experience snow.

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