#WATCH | Manali, Himachal Pradesh: Snowfall at the South Portal of the Atal Tunnel near Rohtang Pass. Footage captures tourists enjoying the scenery. pic.twitter.com/bSIDsaN0uA
— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026
The India Meteorological Department reported that isolated high-altitude areas in the Lahaul and Spiti district experienced a fresh bout of snowfall, while lower elevations saw sporadic rainfall. Snowfall was documented in Jispa, Darcha, and Shinkula, with Hansa recording 2.5 cm of snow. Social media has been abuzz with videos of the snowfall.
Various locations reported rainfall, including Bharmaur (12 mm), Gondla (6.2 mm), Keylong (4 mm), Bhuntar and Dharamshala (2 mm each), Kukumseri and Kangra (1.3 mm each), Jot (1 mm), and Kalpa (0.4 mm), as per the Shimla Meteorological Centre.
The snow and rain in March have provided relief to both residents and tourism stakeholders in Manali and Lahaul and Spiti, who anticipate an increase in visitors as parts of the plains experience a heat wave. Locals believe that the return of chillier conditions in the mountains may attract more tourists to the area.
Snowfall in the high-altitude regions has also led to a visible drop in maximum temperatures across the valley, reinstating a sense of chill in Manali and neighboring areas. Meanwhile, dry weather has continued in the plains, with severe heat wave conditions observed in Sundernagar and Solan, while thunderstorms accompanied by lightning impacted Kangra and Jot.
The Shimla Meteorological Station has issued a yellow alert for heat wave and severe heat wave conditions in Mandi and Solan districts for Friday and Saturday (March 13-14). Another yellow alert has been announced for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h across Chamba, Kullu, Kangra, and Mandi on Sunday and Monday (March 15-16) as a new western disturbance approaches northwest India starting March 14.
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Light rain and snowfall are predicted in isolated areas on March 13, 14, and 17, with more widespread precipitation anticipated around March 15.
Despite the recent weather activity, Himachal Pradesh recorded only 0.8 mm of rainfall from March 1-12 against a normal of 45.2 mm, resulting in a deficit of 98%. Keylong reported the lowest minimum temperature at 1.6°C, while Una was noted as the hottest in the state at 32.6°C.
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