Good news from the hills for all those who love snowfall . As per the latest news reports, the hills of the Western Himalayas have got an early winter makeover, as the first snowflakes of the season dusted Gulmarg and key Himachal destinations in the first week of October.
This sudden chill has brought the unmistakable charm of winter, transforming the slopes into a picturesque white wonderland, bringing joy to both tourists and locals. Alongside snowfall in higher reaches, scattered rainfall and humid winds have swept through the hills of Himachal Pradesh , signaling the onset of the season well ahead of schedule.
Gulmarg, which is one of most popular winter destinations, witnessed its first snowfall on October 2, while other places like Sinthan Top, Rohtang Pass, and the Dhauladhar ranges also welcomed fresh layers of snow. The early snow has brought down temperatures across hill towns, and at the same time, also brought relief after recent warm and humid spells. However, intermittent showers and icy winds accompanied the snowfall, with thunderstorms which led to temporary suspension of traffic at Rohtang Pass.
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Meteorologists have forecasted a fresh Western Disturbance to impact the region from October 4 onward. This system, unusual for arriving so early in October, is expected to bring light rain initially, escalating to moderate and heavy rainfall and isolated snowfall by October 6. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also likely to witness isolated snowfall and moderate to heavy rain between October 6 and the morning of October 8, as per skymetweather.com. To ensure safety of all, authorities have cautioned travellers about the risk of landslides, mudslides, and traffic disruptions along hilly highways.
Further, hill towns in Himachal Pradesh have also felt the early bite of winter as temperatures plummeted following mild overnight snowfall in the Dhauladhar ranges and rain across Kangra and Chamba districts. Dharamsala and McLeodganj recorded 25.5 mm of rain during the night, Palampur 10.2 mm, Kangra 18.4 mm, and Chamba 4 mm. Minimum temperatures also dropped sharply, as Dharamsala recorded 16.5°C, McLeodganj 9.8°C, Palampur 11.5°C, Kangra 15.3°C, Chamba 16.8°C, Dalhousie 8.6°C, and Bharmour 13°C. Dense fog blanketed the upper reaches of the mountains in the morning, enhancing the scenic beauty of snow-capped peaks and drawing tourists and photographers eager to capture the spectacle.
This early snowfall is seen as a positive sign by the tourism operators, as they are optimistic about the upcoming winter season . It’s expected that Gulmarg and other hill stations will start attracting more visitors, which will boost local businesses that rely heavily on winter travel. Locals in Dharamsala and surrounding towns described the sudden drop in temperature as a “welcome sign” of winter, providing respite from the unseasonably warm weather of recent days.
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While the Western Disturbances typically intensify from November onwards, this early system offers a head start to the snow season, giving tourists an early taste of winter adventure. With fresh snow already blanketing the slopes and more precipitation expected in the coming days, the hills are officially gearing up for the winter season, promising scenic vistas, chilly winds, and the unique charm that draws thousands of visitors each year.
This sudden chill has brought the unmistakable charm of winter, transforming the slopes into a picturesque white wonderland, bringing joy to both tourists and locals. Alongside snowfall in higher reaches, scattered rainfall and humid winds have swept through the hills of Himachal Pradesh , signaling the onset of the season well ahead of schedule.
Gulmarg, which is one of most popular winter destinations, witnessed its first snowfall on October 2, while other places like Sinthan Top, Rohtang Pass, and the Dhauladhar ranges also welcomed fresh layers of snow. The early snow has brought down temperatures across hill towns, and at the same time, also brought relief after recent warm and humid spells. However, intermittent showers and icy winds accompanied the snowfall, with thunderstorms which led to temporary suspension of traffic at Rohtang Pass.
Read more: 10 countries with the highest life expectancy in 2025
Meteorologists have forecasted a fresh Western Disturbance to impact the region from October 4 onward. This system, unusual for arriving so early in October, is expected to bring light rain initially, escalating to moderate and heavy rainfall and isolated snowfall by October 6. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also likely to witness isolated snowfall and moderate to heavy rain between October 6 and the morning of October 8, as per skymetweather.com. To ensure safety of all, authorities have cautioned travellers about the risk of landslides, mudslides, and traffic disruptions along hilly highways.
Further, hill towns in Himachal Pradesh have also felt the early bite of winter as temperatures plummeted following mild overnight snowfall in the Dhauladhar ranges and rain across Kangra and Chamba districts. Dharamsala and McLeodganj recorded 25.5 mm of rain during the night, Palampur 10.2 mm, Kangra 18.4 mm, and Chamba 4 mm. Minimum temperatures also dropped sharply, as Dharamsala recorded 16.5°C, McLeodganj 9.8°C, Palampur 11.5°C, Kangra 15.3°C, Chamba 16.8°C, Dalhousie 8.6°C, and Bharmour 13°C. Dense fog blanketed the upper reaches of the mountains in the morning, enhancing the scenic beauty of snow-capped peaks and drawing tourists and photographers eager to capture the spectacle.
This early snowfall is seen as a positive sign by the tourism operators, as they are optimistic about the upcoming winter season . It’s expected that Gulmarg and other hill stations will start attracting more visitors, which will boost local businesses that rely heavily on winter travel. Locals in Dharamsala and surrounding towns described the sudden drop in temperature as a “welcome sign” of winter, providing respite from the unseasonably warm weather of recent days.
Read more: Bengal floods leave tourists stranded; Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars suffer as rescue ops continue
While the Western Disturbances typically intensify from November onwards, this early system offers a head start to the snow season, giving tourists an early taste of winter adventure. With fresh snow already blanketing the slopes and more precipitation expected in the coming days, the hills are officially gearing up for the winter season, promising scenic vistas, chilly winds, and the unique charm that draws thousands of visitors each year.
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