Dry weather conditions prevailed in Himachal Pradesh though the weatherman predicted snowfall and rains in mid and higher hills from January 3.
High velocity icy winds lashed the mid and higher hills causing marginal fall in the maximum temperature but the minimum rose by one to three degrees across the state.
"Rains and snowfall is likely in the Himalayan region from January 3 onwards as a Western Disturbance lies over Jammu and Kashmir, adjoining Himachal," the MeT office said.
The high altitude tribal area are reeling under piercing cold wave conditions with mercury staying between minus 8 and minus 14 degrees Celsius.
The HRTC has stopped plying buses to tribal Lahaul valley from as road conditions are slippery due to freezing of water on 10 km of road on either side of Rohtang Pass.
Tourists have thronged Shimla and other resorts ahead of New Year and occupancy in hotels in the central areas of the town has increased to 90 per cent.
"We are expecting a good season for at least one week as snowfall is likely after New Year," said an office bearer of Hotel Association.
The local administration has made elaborate arrangement to check drinking in open, eve teasing or any other untoward incident and police have been deployed in strength at all the vulnerable places, SP, Shimla DW Negi said.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures rose marginally by one to two degrees but stayed above normal.
Shimla had a low of 11.7 degrees. The night temperature rose to 1.9 degrees at Keylong, 1.6 degrees at Bhuntar 2.5 degrees at Sundernagar and 3.2 degrees at Kalpa and Chamba.
Meanwhile minimum temperatures rose marginally by one to two degrees but stayed above normal.
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