Popular locations including Mall Road, the Ridge, and the iconic Jakhu Temple witnessed fresh snowfall.
Shimla witnessed its first snowfall of the 2026 season on Friday, as fresh snow covered the hill town and surrounding areas, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures and marking the true arrival of winter in Himachal Pradesh. The snowfall transformed the city into a picturesque landscape, with white layers settling over rooftops, trees, and roads.
Popular tourist spots such as Mall Road and the Ridge saw steady snowfall, attracting visitors who stepped out to enjoy the season’s first snow. While the weather created a festive atmosphere, it also led to slower vehicular movement on several routes. Traffic police and local authorities advised commuters to remain cautious, particularly in snow-covered areas.
The Shimla Meteorological Centre had earlier forecast this weather activity and issued alerts for multiple districts in the state. An orange alert has been announced for Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, where heavy snowfall and rainfall are expected at isolated places. These districts may also witness thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, potentially affecting normal life and travel in higher-altitude regions.
Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been issued for Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur and Una districts. The weather department has predicted heavy rain, hailstorms, cold day conditions, and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated locations in these areas.
The Meteorological Department has also indicated that snowfall and rainfall are likely to continue in the middle and higher hills of Himachal Pradesh on January 24. Dry weather is expected to prevail across the state on January 25, followed by another spell of widespread snowfall and rainfall from January 26 to January 28.
The impact of the western disturbance was felt beyond Himachal Pradesh as well. Chandigarh experienced a noticeable change in weather, with fresh rainfall leading to cooler conditions across the city.
In Delhi, early morning rain brought down temperatures, with several localities recording light to moderate showers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that cloudy skies are likely to persist throughout the day. The IMD has also warned that the ongoing wet spell may be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30 to 40 kmph at isolated places, which could further intensify cold wave conditions across the region.
Authorities have urged residents and travelers to stay alert, follow official advisories, and avoid unnecessary travel to higher reaches during periods of heavy snowfall.