Shimla, April 23: A change in weather is on the horizon for Himachal Pradesh, with the Meteorological Centre forecasting a gradual shift from dry conditions to thunderstorm activity across the state over the coming week.
But stream of tourists continues to flow in Himachal Pradesh as heat picked up pace in the plains.
While Thursday is expected to remain dry across the state, isolated rainfall activity is likely to begin from April 24, picking up pace into scattered showers by the weekend and early next week.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) have been forecast at isolated places on April 25, 27, 28 and 29.
The impact is expected to be felt across several regions including Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Chamba, where intermittent weather activity may bring brief relief from the ongoing heat. Higher reaches like Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti may also witness isolated changes in weather conditions.
Despite the approaching system, the past 24 hours remained completely dry, with no rainfall or snowfall recorded anywhere in the state.
Temperatures continued to stay above normal, intensifying heat conditions particularly in lower hill districts like Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur, where mercury levels have been soaring.
Una remained the hottest in the state at 38.7°C, while Kukumseri recorded the lowest temperature at 5.1°C.
Even hill stations like Shimla are witnessing above-normal temperatures, indicating a sustained warm spell.
Meteorologists have attributed the upcoming weather activity to a western disturbance active in the region along with a cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and adjoining Pakistan.
The week ahead, therefore, presents a mixed bag—dry heat dominating the initial days, followed by spells of thunderstorms and gusty winds, raising both relief hopes and concerns over sudden weather disruptions.
