Current Weather, Temperature & Snowfall status in Lahaul Spiti

Don’t try to go beyond Darcha: Police warns tourists

Updated on March 09, 2022

As some tourists are trying to go towards avalanche-prone high altitude areas with deep snow, Lahaul-Spiti police have asked them not to take risks and enjoy snow in the lower areas of the district. Police have advised tourists that the road is open upto Darcha but it is completely blocked beyond it. Police warned that if any tourist will forcibly go beyond Darcha, he may have to face strict legal action. Police said the offenders will be liable for punishment with imprisonment or a compounding fee of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 under section 115 of HP Police Act.

Stranded for four days, 100 tourists with 23 vehicles rescued from Lahaul

Updated on January 7, 2022

A large number of tourists who had been stranded at Sissu and other parts in Lahaul valley after snowfall on Tuesday have been rescued by the cops along with their 23 vehicles on Friday.

Nearly 100 tourists, who were staying in Lahaul, were being rescued on Tuesday but had to return back to Sissu from Atal tunnel as south portal of the tunnel towards Manali had received very heavy snow. The road was completely blocked. The tourists were staying in hotels in Sissu, 6km from northern portal of the tunnel. As the weather had cleared up for some time on Friday morning and Border Roads Organisation had cleared snow from the highway, cops from Lahaul and Manali evacuated all the vehicles safely.

Lahaul-Spiti police personnel had to push the vehicles on the slippery road for hours to reach the tunnel. Then Manali police jawans helped the tourists in taking vehicles to Solang valley. The south portal of the tunnel has steep stretches where vehicles started skidding and tourists who had no experience of driving on snow were not able to control the vehicles. Cops had to drive the vehicles at risky zones and took all the vehicles to Solang.

Manali deputy superintendent of police Sanjeev Kumar said, “So far 23 vehicles have been evacuated. All the tourists are safe. We are repeatedly requesting tourists not to risk their lives and plan their trip after checking weather forecast. Vehicles other than four-wheel-drive are not being allowed in snow-bound areas. Tourists are requested to enjoy snow close to their hotels.”

Water taps, river, engines freeze in Lahaul

Updated on December 21, 2021

Not only rivers, taps, milk or cooking oil but even the engines of the vehicles have frozen under extremely cold conditions in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal.

The people in Lahaul-Spiti are having trouble with starting the engines of the vehicles in the morning and night time. The diesel engines are not starting in the morning. The fuel supply pipes and radiators are freezing. People are lighting fire under the fuel tanks and engines to warm them up. The Himachal Roads Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, which ply on many routes inside and outside the district, are having difficulty in providing service as the engines of the buses have started giving up before cold.

HRTC regional manager at Keylong Mangal Chand Manepa said, “It’s extremely cold weather in the district. The field staff is reporting problems in starting the bus engines in the morning. It has become common problem. Drivers are draining the batteries in an attempt to start the engine. Despite extreme weather, our staff is providing services on different routes.”

The condition is worse at some places, including in Spiti, where residents are covering the vehicles with blankets and sheets in the night time to prevent engine from freezing. Residents cover even the windscreen to prevent thick layer of ice from covering it.

Many residents have parked their vehicles at safe places as starting the engine and then driving on slippery roads remain a headache throughout the winter season. They use vehicles only in summer season.

While Spiti river has almost frozen, the Chenab river has also started freezing in Lahaul. The water taps have frozen. Residents are doing failed attempts to wrap clothes around the water pipes to stop them from freezing.

While minimum temperature of Keylong was recorded at minus 10.2 degrees C on Monday, even the maximum day temperature was just 3 degrees C. The night temperature at many places in the district has dipped close to minus 20 degrees C and even maximum day temperature remains below freezing point. In such conditions, water and milk are getting frozen inside the houses too.

Slippery roads pose danger in Lahaul

Updated on December 15, 2021

Heavy snowfall in Lahaul Valley

Updated on December 6, 2021

Entire Lahaul valley has worn a white mantle on Monday while many places experienced heavy snowfall. While Rohtang has received more than 75cm of snow, over 45cm snow has accumulated at north and south portals of Atal tunnel. Koksar, Sissu and Darcha in Lahaul received more than 30cm of snow. Keylong received 22cm snow. Udaipur, Jispa, Gondhla, Tandi, Madgram are covered with white blanket. At minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, Keylong was the coldest inhabited village in Himachal. The snowfall has blocked Manali-Atal tunnel-Keylong highway and most link roads of the valley are also blocked.

Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar: The District headquarters Keylong has received 22cm fresh snow while many villages have received upto 45cm snow. The Manali-Keylong highway is blocked with snow. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started clearing snow to resume vehicular movement. Many areas had no electricity. Electricity board employees are working on resuming the power supply. People have been requested not to venture into isolated places.

Lahaul-Spiti gets fresh snow, more predicted

Updated on December 3, 2021

The entire Lahaul-Spiti district is experiencing fresh snowfall since Thursday. With this, temperatures across the district have plunged suddenly. While night temperatures have increased by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius following overcast, the day temperatures have decreased by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius.

Keylong, Udaipur, Jispa, Darcha, Gondhla, Koksar, Sissu, North portal of Atal Tunnel, Kaza, Losar, Baralacha pass, Sarchu, Shinkula pass, Kunzum pass and almost all parts of the district are getting fresh snow which is continuing on Friday.

While the minimum temperature in the district is ranging between minus 1 to minus 5 degrees C, the maximum day temperature was below 5 degrees C. The temperature is further expected to decrease in the next few days after more snowfall. There is a prediction of more snowfall on Sunday and Monday (December 5 and 6).

Avalanche rocks Lahaul valley

Updated on November 24, 2017

Continue reading: Current Weather, Temperature & Snowfall status in Lahaul Spiti

Snowfall forecast and temperature in Lahaul Spiti

Updated on May 7, 2021
The Lahaul-Spiti district will be witnessing cloudy weather in the next seven days with a light snowfall on the peaks and little rain in the lower areas. Sometimes it will be sunny weather and next moment overcast will bring rain and snow. Heavy downpours coupled with lightning are likely at some places. The minimum temperature in Lahaul is hovering around 4 degrees Celsius and the maximum day temperature is close to 15 to 20 degrees C. in Spiti, the minimum temperature is below 2 degrees C and the maximum day temperature is between 14 and 18 degrees C.

Landslides block roads, damage vehicles in Lahaul

Lahaul

Updated on April 25, 2021
While a landslide blocked the Udaipur-Miyar road, another blocked Udaipur-Killar road, some shooting stones at Udaipur damaged three vehicles on Sunday. According to officials, boulders damaged three vehicles following a rockslide at old bus stand in Lahaul’s Udaipur. Another landslide at Rohli nullah in Tindi has blocked the Udaipur-Killar road. A massive landslide has blocked the road to Miyar valley. Officials said work was continuing to restore the traffic after clearing the debris and blasting the boulders.

An official from Lahaul-Spiti District Emergency Operation Center said an avalanche near Kwaring village on April 23 had buried a gharat (watermill). “Nobody was hurt in incidents of landslide and avalanche. Private and public properties have been damaged in these incidents,” the official said. Lahaul has received heavy snow in the last few days which is now triggering landslides and avalanches. The administration has asked residents to stay alert as more avalanches are likely in the next few days.

Avalanche blocks Lahaul’s Chandra river flow for three hours

Updated on April 23, 2021

A massive avalanche near Khangsar village of Lahaul blocked the flow of the Chandra river, a tributary of Chenab, for nearly three hours on Friday. No damage was reported due to the avalanche. The residents in the downstream generally fear after avalanches block the flow of river which then forms a big dam. The snow debris had formed a small dam which burst after some time without causing damage. Sometimes it blocks flow for days and when water flow after breaking the walls of snow, it wreaks havoc downstream.

Another avalanche was reported in Shiti nullah of Lahaul. As the district has experienced heavy snowfall in the last three days, a large number of avalanches are being reported from different areas. District administration has alerted people and has advised them not to go to isolated and avalanche prone areas. While lower parts of Lahaul have received 30 to 45cm of snow, higher villages of the valley have received 60 to 90cm of snow in the last three days. Baralacha pass, Kunzum pass, Rohtang pass and Shinkula pass have received 100 to 150cm of fresh snow.

More snowfall in store for Lahaul-Spiti

Updated on March 19, 2021

Meteorological centre, Shimla, has predicted more snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal from March 21 onwards. There are high chances of snowfall in Lahaul valley on March 22, 23 and 24.

The minimum temperature of Keylong on Thursday night was recorded at minus 2.3 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature was 11.3 degrees C.

These days tourists can find enough snow at the north portal of Atal tunnel, Sissu, Gufa hotel and Koksar.

Avalanches hit roads in Manali, Lahaul

Updated on February 28, 2021

An avalanche near Shakoli village of Lahaul blocked the Triloknath-Udaipur bypass road while small avalanches near Dhundi had blocked the Manali-Atal tunnel highway on Sunday. According to Kullu SP Gaurav Singh, traffic was stopped on Manali-Atal tunnel highway for some time after minor avalanches and boulders were hitting the highway. The road was cleared and was opened for four-wheel-drive vehicles. An avalanche near Shakoli village had completely blocked the bypass road connecting Triloknath with Udaipur. The PWD had moved machines from Triloknath and Lobar to clear the tonnes of debris from both sides. Parts of Lahaul and Manali had received moderate snow on Saturday.

Updated on February 21, 2021

A fresh Western Disturbance will hit Himachal (Western Himalayas) on 22nd February and will bring more rain and snow. There are high chances of snowfall in Lahaul valley and Spiti valley from February 24 to 26, while there are moderate chances on February 23 and 27. There are chances of closure of Manali-Atal Tunnel – Keylong highway during this time. On Sunday, minimum temperature of Keylong was recorded at minus 1.2 degrees C and maximum temperature was 9 degrees C. Minimum temperature in Spiti Valley has risen to minus 3 to minus 10 degrees C which is higher than the normal.

Kaza-Kunzum Pass road opens

For the first time in history, Border Roads Organisation has cleared snow from Kaza-Kunzum pass highway in February month. As snowfall continues to elude Himalayas, most roads in Lahaul-Spiti, which used to remain closed till May/June, are open in February. However, more snowfall in the coming days can block the roads again.

Avalanches hit Lahaul valley

Updated on February 10, 2021

While cold waves are still continued in Lahaul-Spiti district with night temperature ranging from minus 5 to minus 10 degrees Celsius and day temperature below 5 degrees C, there are no chances of snowfall in both Lahaul and Spiti valleys in the next seven days. The district will witness bright sunshine. The Manali-Atal tunnel – Keylong highway is open. The Manali-Leh highway is open till Patsio.

Updated on February 2, 2021

Snowfall is expected in Lahaul valley from Tuesday evening onward. There are strong possibilities of snowfall on February 3, 4 and 5 with high possibility on February 4. Spiti valley may also witness some snow on 3 and 4 February. However, many parts of Lahaul are till covered with snow.

Current Temperature in Lahaul Spiti: The night temperature has increased in the district due to overcast. The minimum temperature of Lahaul is hovering around minus 7 to minus 10 degrees C and maximum day temperature is 0 to 3 degrees C. The average minimum and maximum temperatures of Spiti valley are minus 10 to minus 15 degrees and minus 2 to 3 degrees C respectively.

Snowfall blocks all roads in Lahaul

Updated on January 24, 2021

Current Temperature: Minimum of minus 9.2 degrees C and maximum of 1.5 degrees C.

Snowfall forecast: Weather will remain clear in the next week with no chances of snowfall.

Heavy snowfall mixed with blizzards has blocked all the roads in Lahaul valley of Himachal where Snow Festival will kick start today.

The Manali-Lahaul road via Atal tunnel has also blocked with snow. Traffic movement on Keylong-Koksar, Keylong-Darcha, Tandi-Udaipur highways was affected while almost all the internal roads of the valley were blocked. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had started clearing snow from the highway.

Sissu, near Atal tunnel, received 45cm of fresh snow and it was over 30cm at Gondla. District headquarter Keylong received 20cm of fresh snow. 25cm of snow was recorded at Udaipur. Both north and south portals of Atal tunnel have received over 30cm of snow. Solang valley near the tunnel has received 8cm of snow.

Lahaul-Spiti SP Gaurav Singh said, “The road beyond Atal tunnel is not worth driving. So the road has been blocked for general traffic movement until snow is cleared.”

The heavy snowfall in Lahaul valley has brought cheer among the residents and district administration. The fresh snow will add to the thrill of first-ever Snow Festival of the valley which will start on Monday and will continue for two months.

Current weather and Temperature in Lahaul-Spiti

Updated on January 21, 2021

Lahaul valley is reeling under extreme cold conditions with a bright sun in the day time and deposit of frost in the night time. The district has not witnessed snowfall for two weeks now. The night temperature in Lahaul is ranging between minus 10 and minus 12 and it is between minus 15 and minus 20 in Spiti valley. The maximum day temperature in the district is below 2 degrees Celsius.

Snowfall prediction: There are strong chances of snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti on January 23 and 24. Most parts of the district, especially Lahaul, may witness snowfall on January 22 evening and the whole day on January 23 and 24. The sudden snowfall accumulation can occur after overnight snowfall on January 23.

Warning: There will be chances of avalanches on January 23, 24 and 25.

Current weather and temperature in Lahaul-Spiti

Updated on January 8, 2021

After experiencing snowfall for five days, sun is shining bright in both Lahaul and Spiti valleys. The temperature has again dipped across the district. While minimum temperature in Lahaul has plunged to minus 12 to minus 14 degrees C, the minimum temperature in Spiti is below minus 20 degrees C. The maximum temperature in Lahaul is close to 1 to 2 degrees C and it is minus 2 to minus 5 degrees C in Spiti. Lahaul valley has received 45cm to 90cm of snow in last few days with Sissu, Koksar and north portal of Atal Tunnel receiving highest amount of snow. In Spiti, only 5 to 10 cm of snowfall was recorded. Now there is no snowfall prediction for the next few days and dry conditions will be prevailing in the entire Himachal.

Updated on December 31, 2020

Current weather and temperature in Lahaul-Spiti: Weather is generally dry with good sunshine. Snow from east, west and south facing mountains has almost melted away but north face mountains are covered with deep snow. North portal of Atal tunnel and Sissu area has adequate snow for tourists to have fun. Day temperature in the district is below freezing point. Average minimum temperature in Lahaul is below minus 10 degrees Celsius and it is below minus 17 degrees Celsius in Spiti valley.

Snowfall prediction: Lahaul-Spiti district is expected to receive more snow (snowfall) from January 4 to January 6.

Updated on December 28, 2020

Current weather in Lahaul – Spiti: Most parts of Lahaul Spiti district have received fresh snow today. The overnight snowfall that started on Sunday night lasted till Monday morning. Kelong, Jispa, Darcha, Udaipur, Gondhla, Sissu, Koksar, north portal of Atal tunnel have received 5 to 15cm of snow. Kaza in Spiti also experienced snowfall. The weather cleared up in the daytime and it was a starry night on Monday night. There is a strong possibility of severe frosting on Tuesday morning due to extreme cold. Water taps and other water sources are likely to be frozen in the morning. However, most taps and water sources have already frozen in the cold. The lowest temperature of Keylong was recorded at minus 6.7 degrees C. The weather will be generally dry till New Year Eve.

Updated on December 24, 2020

Snowfall status in Lahaul-Spiti: Both Lahaul and Spiti valleys are expected to receive more snow on December 27 and 28. Another wave of Western Disturbance will be active in Himachal from December 26 onwards which will bring more snow to the higher areas from 26th evening onwards till 29th. There is a strong possibility of good snowfall in Lahaul valley including Atal tunnel on 27th and 28th. However, there is enough snow in store for tourists at north portal of Atal tunnel.

Updated on December 21, 2020

Current weather in Lahaul Spiti: Crystal clear sky with bright sunshine in day time and starry nights. Perfect time for stargazing with many milky ways visible with naked eyes. Residents are enjoying basking in sun. However, it’s windy at some places.

Current temperature in Lahaul Spiti: The night temperature at Keylong in Lahaul has dipped as low as minus 12 degrees C and it is minus 4 degrees C in day time. The minimum temperature at Spiti has dipped as low as minus 20 degrees C.

Kardang village of Lahaul valley. PC: Duni Chand Architect (Manali)

Current weather of Lahaul (19 Dec 2020): It’s a sunny sky. No possibility of snowfall in the next seven days. Some parts of Lahaul are covered with snow. Manali-Keylong and Keylong-Udaipur highways are open. Lahaul-Spiti police have issued an advisory regarding deposit of black ice on the highways. Drive safely. Avoid night driving.

Current temperature in Lahaul (19 Dec): Both day and night temperatures have dipped suddenly. Average lowest temperature is minus 10 degrees C and highest temperature is below minus 3 degrees C.

Current weather of Spiti (19 Dec): The snow on the peaks is shining under the crystal clear blue sky. Some areas are windy while people in some areas are enjoying basking in sun. No snow forecast for next seven days. Dry spell continues.

Current temperature in Spiti (19 Dec): The minimum temperature in the valley has plunged below minus 15 degrees C and the maximum temperature is below minus 5 degrees C. All water sources have frozen. It’s time for ice hockey.

Chenab river freezes in extreme cold in Lahaul

Updated on December 18, 2020

The Chenab river has frozen at many places in Lahaul valley of Himachal as temperature in the valley has dipped below minus 10 degrees Celsius. Even the maximum day temperature of valley is below the freezing point.

With night temperature in most parts of Himachal dipping below 4 degrees C and many places recording subzero temperature, entire state is reeling under intense cold. While ice has covered the surface of Spiti river, the surface of Chenab river has also covered with ice in many places. The drinking water sources in Lahaul-Spiti district have started to dry up as their sources have frozen completely. Even the maximum day temperature in district is many notches below freezing point.

Temperature at Spiti headquarters Kaza is below minus 15 degrees C. The lowest minimum temperature at Lahaul-Spiti district headquarters Keylong was recorded at minus 10 degrees C. Temperature in Miyar, Koksar and upper reaches of valley is even low. The maximum day temperature of Keylong on Friday was recorded at minus 3.6 degrees C.

Small nullahs and water streams in the district have frozen completely. Icicles are hanging from the mountains where water was seeping down the mountain face. Waters in the small lakes of the district have turned ice and have become walkable. The edges of both Chandra and Bhaga rivers, which form Chenab river at Tandi village, have also turned hard ice. The snow available at some places is also turning hard ice.

The Lahaul-Spiti SP Manav Verma on Friday issued a travel advisory for vehicular traffic. “With extreme cold gripping Lahaul valley, black ice has formed on the highway at many places. This transparent ice is almost invisible and causes major road accidents. We have marked the major spots through google maps which are available for the guidance of the public. We have already asked people to avoid driving at night time in Lahaul and through Atal tunnel,” he said.

Here is the road safety map.

Similarly, intense cold waves have gripped other districts of Himachal. People are waking up to a thin white layer of frost every morning. Extreme cold has forced residents to stay indoors in the morning and evening time. People are enjoying basking in the sun in day time.

Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees C. Sundernagar was cold at minus 2.2 and Bhuntar recorded lowest of minus 1.4. Minimum temperature in Manali was recorded at minus 1 degree C and it was minus 1.2 degree C at Solan. Shimla, Dharamshala and Kangra recorded lowest temperature of 4.6 degrees C, 2.4 degrees C and minus 0.1 degree C respectively.

According to Shimla meteorological office, the minimum temperature in the state is 3 to 4 degrees C below the normal while maximum temperature is 2 to 3 degrees below the normal. “Lower regions of the state will see some fog and frost. Frost can destroy crops in some areas,” the met office said.

Minimum and Maximum Temp of Himachal Stations (18 Dec 2020)