Cold weather to intensify in Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh after snowfall in hilly areas

December 30, 2025

At the beginning of 2026, cold wave conditions are expected to intensify in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, rain and snowfall are expected to continue in the higher reaches of Himachal for the next 96 hours, starting today. Its impact will not be limited to the hilly areas only; cold winds will reach Punjab and Chandigarh, as well as Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan.

The Meteorological Department says that the cold wave rising from the high mountains after the snowfall will be felt across North India. Night temperatures in many cities of Himachal Pradesh may drop by 4 to 7 degrees Celsius in the next five days. The minimum temperature in Punjab and Chandigarh may also drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

The cold wave is expected to be even more severe in the higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, where the minimum temperature may drop to minus 10 to minus 12 degrees Celsius. Currently, the minimum temperature in most cities, including Shimla, Manali, Chandigarh, and Jalandhar, remains above normal, but after the snowfall, it will come down significantly below normal. This means that there is a high possibility that the new year will start with a severe cold.