The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recorded a historic dip in Shimla’s temperature, with the mercury hitting 3.6 degrees Celsius. This reading marks the coldest April night the hill station has experienced in nearly four decades.
Meteorological data reveals this is the most significant temperature anomaly in recent history. The current figures come close to the long-standing record of 1979, when the minimum temperature reached 3.4 degrees Celsius.
IMD Himachal Pradesh head Shobhit Katiyar confirmed that persistent western disturbances triggered the sharp decline. Continuous rainfall and snowfall over the last three days have caused both day and night temperatures to settle significantly below the seasonal average.
The daytime temperature in Shimla settled at 11.4 degrees Celsius, the lowest maximum recorded for April in over a decade. A similar daytime low was last observed in 2015, highlighting the intensity of the current weather pattern.
High-altitude regions in Himachal Pradesh saw even steeper declines, with some areas recording minus 1 degree Celsius. Across the state, daytime temperatures have fallen by 10 to 12 degrees Celsius compared to typical April conditions.
Rainfall statistics show a marked increase in precipitation. Between March 1 and April 10, the state recorded 149 mm of rain, surpassing the normal 136 mm. In April alone, rainfall has been 142 percent above the usual levels.
While snowfall is not uncommon in regions like Lahaul, Kullu, Chamba, and Kinnaur during April, the widespread impact on urban centers like Shimla remains rare. The saturation of the atmosphere has kept the heat from building up.
The weather office predicts a shift toward clearer skies for the plains and mid-hill regions over the next week. Sunny conditions are expected to prevail, though isolated higher reaches may see light activity on April 11 and 12.
A fresh western disturbance is anticipated between April 16 and 18. However, officials expect its impact to remain limited, with no forecasts for heavy rainfall or snow during that period.
