#WATCH | Manali, Himachal Pradesh: Snowfall at the South Portal of the Atal Tunnel near Rohtang Pass. Footage captures tourists savoring the moment. pic.twitter.com/bSIDsaN0uA
— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026
As reported by the India Meteorological Department, isolated higher regions of the Lahaul and Spiti district experienced a fresh wave of snowfall, while the lower hills saw intermittent rain. Snowfall was noted in Jispa, Darcha, and Shinkula, with Hansa measuring 2.5 cm of snow. Videos of the snowfall have been widely shared across social media platforms.
Rainfall was recorded in several locations, including Bharmaur (12 mm), Gondla (6.2 mm), Keylong (4 mm), Bhuntar and Dharamshala (2 mm each), as well as Kukumseri and Kangra (1.3 mm each), Jot (1 mm), and Kalpa (0.4 mm), as per the Shimla Meteorological Centre.
The recent snowfall and rain in March have brought comfort to local residents and tourism operators in Manali and Lahaul and Spiti, who anticipate an influx of visitors as parts of the plains continue to endure a heat wave. Locals expressed optimism that the return of cooler temperatures in the mountains might entice more tourists to the hills.
In the higher elevations, the snowfall also resulted in a significant drop in maximum temperatures across the valley, restoring a chill to Manali and its surroundings. Conversely, the plains experienced dry weather, with extreme heat wave conditions reported in Sundernagar and Solan, while thunderstorms with lightning affected Kangra and Jot.
The Shimla Meteorological Station has issued a yellow alert for heat wave to severe heat wave conditions in Mandi and Solan districts for Friday and Saturday (March 13-14). Another yellow alert has been issued for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h across Chamba, Kullu, Kangra, and Mandi on Sunday and Monday (March 15-16) as a fresh western disturbance approaches northwest India starting March 14.
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Light rain and snowfall are anticipated in isolated regions on March 13, 14, and 17, with more extensive precipitation predicted around March 15.
Despite the recent weather changes, Himachal Pradesh recorded only 0.8 mm of rainfall from March 1-12 against a normal of 45.2 mm, indicating a 98% deficit. Keylong experienced the lowest minimum temperature at 1.6°C, while Una recorded the highest temperature in the state at 32.6°C.
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