Intense cold conditions continue in parts of Himachal Pradesh

Intense cold conditions persistedin most parts of Himachal Pradesh, even as the local office predicted rains or snowfall at isolated places in mid and higher hills on December 31 and January 1, brightening the prospects of a white new year.
A freshWestern Disturbance is very likely to affect western Himalayan region and rains or snow are likely to be witnessed at isolated places in mid and higher hills during next 48 hours while more snowfalls are likely from January 3 onwards, MeT office forecast said.
Strong icy winds swept the region and sky remained overcast causing marginal drop in mercury and high altitude tribal areas groaned under biting cold wave conditions with minimum temperatures staying between minus 8 and minus 13 degrees Celsius.

Thousands of tourists who have thronged Shimla and other hill stations are thrilled over snowfall forecast and most of the hotels and guest houses are packed to their capacity.
The tourists arriving here without prior booking are facing great inconvenience and traffic jams have added to the woes of the people.
Minimum temperatures dropped marginally and Keylong recorded low of minus 2.6 degree, while Kalpa, Sundernagar and Manali shivered at0.4 degrees Celsius, 1. 8, and 2. 4 degrees Celsius.
Una was hottest during the day with mercurystaying at 24.2 degrees Celsius while Bhuntar, Nahan and Sundernagar recorded a high of 21 degrees Celsius, 20 and 19.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Solan 19, Shimla and Dharamsala16.8 degrees Celsius, Manali 14 and Kalpa 13.4 degrees Celsius.

The night temperature in Solan was recorded at 3.2 degrees Celsius, Una and Palampur 5 degrees Celsius, Dharamsala and Nahan 8.4 degrees Celsius.