Shimla Records Hottest January Day, Breaks 2006 Record; Snowstorm Warning Issued for Himachal

Shimla has set a new record for its hottest-ever January day, surpassing the previous high from 2006. On Friday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 22°C, breaking the previous record of 21.4°C set on January 30, 2006. Additionally, the town saw its second-highest January minimum temperature, which reached 11.5°C.

The Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange’ alert for snowfall and rain across various districts, including Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi, starting Sunday.

The local Met Office confirmed the record-breaking temperature: “The highest maximum temperature recorded for January was 22°C on 03.01.2025, surpassing the previous high of 21.4°C from January 30, 2006.”

Shimla’s unusually warm weather has been accompanied by similar trends in other parts of Himachal. Manali, another key tourist destination, recorded its second-highest January minimum temperature of 7.1°C, just short of its all-time high of 7.5°C set on January 25, 2009.

Solan, too, saw a record high for January, reaching 29°C, surpassing the previous record of 27.5°C from January 26, 2007. Dharamshala recorded a maximum of 21.7°C, while Hamirpur saw 27.4°C, with other regions like Solan and Bilaspur reporting similarly high temperatures.

The state’s weather has remained dry over the past 24 hours, with temperatures across the state generally above normal by 4°C to 7°C. The Met Office forecasted snow and rain starting Sunday, and continuing into Monday, especially in the middle and higher hills, with snowfall expected to reach lower hills and plains as well. The weather is expected to clear up by January 8.

The unexpected rise in temperatures followed by an imminent snowstorm has left both locals and tourists closely monitoring the dramatic changes in weather across Himachal Pradesh.