Winter’s Early Knock: Heavy Snow and Rain Sweep Across Northern India, Triggering Sharp Temperature Plunge

A dramatic and unseasonal shift in weather has swept across the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, bringing heavy snowfall to the upper reaches and widespread rainfall to the plains. This sudden and intense change, attributed to an active Western Disturbance, has triggered a severe drop in temperatures, lending an early winter-like chill to the entire North Indian region, including the national capital territory.

The mountainscapes have been dramatically transformed into a winter wonderland, with Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, and the high-altitude areas of Kashmir, such as Gulmarg and Sinthan Top, recording the season’s first significant snowfall. In Himachal Pradesh, areas like the Rohtang Pass, the Dhauladhar ranges, and parts of Lahaul-Spiti were dusted with fresh snow, leading to the temporary closure of key routes, including traffic to the Rohtang Pass, as a precautionary measure.

Mercury Plummets, Alerts Issued

The most notable impact has been the sharp plunge in the mercury. Maximum daytime temperatures in many parts of the affected states plummeted by as much as 10 to 16 degrees Celsius below normal. For instance, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature significantly lower than the previous day, bringing an uncharacteristic “January-like” chill to the valley well ahead of schedule. Hill stations are experiencing single-digit minimum temperatures, confirming the early arrival of cold conditions.

In response to the volatile weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued various alerts, including Orange and Red Alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall and snowfall in certain districts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The forecast warns of the continuation of intense precipitation, coupled with the possibility of hailstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in the lower regions of the North, including Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh.

Disruptions and Impact on Daily Life

The unseasonal weather has severely impacted daily life and transportation across the region.

• Travel and Connectivity: Heavy rainfall has led to an increased risk of landslides and shooting stones, particularly along vulnerable routes like the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Authorities have cautioned travelers and tourists against non-essential travel to higher altitudes, where roads have become slippery or blocked by snow.
• Safety Measures: Schools in several areas of the Jammu division were ordered to shut down in light of the inclement weather warnings. Furthermore, pilgrimage routes, such as the Vaishno Devi Yatra, were temporarily suspended following the advisory, while the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has continued with necessary safety precautions for the thousands of pilgrims arriving daily.
• Agriculture Concerns: Farmers in the plains, who are currently engaged in post-monsoon crop cycles, have been advised to take immediate precautions to protect their standing crops from potential damage due to heavy downpour and hailstorms.

A Sign of Early Winter

Meteorologists attribute this early spell of heavy precipitation and snowfall to a strong and active Western Disturbance—a non-monsoonal weather system originating in the Mediterranean region that typically brings winter rain and snow to the Indian subcontinent. The early and intense nature of this system suggests a premature transition into the cold season.

While the weather is generally expected to ease gradually by mid-week, with conditions likely to improve from Wednesday onwards over the plains, the higher reaches of the Himalayas are forecast to continue receiving intermittent snowfall. The immediate consequence of this Himalayan chill will be felt across the entire Northern Plains, as cold northwesterly winds follow the clearing skies,