There is a huge variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh due to variation in altitude (360–6500 metres). The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical (450–900 metres) in the southern low tracts, warm and temperate (900–1800 metres), cool and temperate (1800–2400 metres) and cold glacial and alpine (2400–4800 metres) in the northern and eastern high elevated mountain. Pollution is affecting the climate of almost all the states of India.
By October, nights and mornings are very cold. Snowfall at elevations of nearly is about and lasts from a December start to March end. Above lies perpetual snow.
The spring season starts from mid February to mid April. The weather is pleasant and comfortable in this season. The rainy season starts at the end of the month of June. The landscape lushes green and fresh. During the season streams and natural springs are replenished. The heavy rains in July and August cause erosion, floods and landslides. Of all the state districts, Dharamshala receives the highest rainfall, nearly about . Spiti is the driest area of the state (rainfall below ), because it is enclosed by high mountains on all sides. Altitude Up to Type of area Valley areas and foothills Hilly and mountain ranges Alpine zone Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur range Climatic conditions Subtropical Slightly warm temperature Cool temperature with humidity Dry and extremely cold conditions Precipitation % of total geographical area 30% 10% 25% 35% % of total cultivated area 56% 30% 10% 5%Annual Temperature range (degree celsius) -2 to 45 -5 to 40 -10 to 32 -20 to 25 Average Annual Temperature (degree celsius)20 to 2215 to 2010 to 165 to 10
Rainfall The average annual rainfall is . The rainy season starts at the end of the month of June. The landscape lushes green and fresh. During the seasonal streams and natural springs are replenished. The heavy rains in July and August cause erosion, floods, and landslides. Of all the state districts, Dharamshala receives the highest precipitation, nearly about . Spiti is the driest area of the state with precipitation below .
Climate data
Average Annual Temperature by Districts DistrictAvg Annual Temp (°C)Annual Temperature Range (°C)Coldest Place (°C)Hottest Place (°C)Lahaul & Spiti~ 5 -30 to 30Komic/Hikkim (-30)Kaza (32)Kinnaur~ 8 -20 to 30Chitkul (-20)Reckong Peo (30)Chamba~ 15 -20 to 40Pangi (-20)Chamba (42)Kullu~ 14 -20 to 40Atal Tunnel (-20)Bhuntar (42)Shimla~ 15 -10 to 35Narkanda (-10)Shimla Urban (32)Solan~ 18 -5 to 45Karol peak, Solan (-5)Baddi (46)Kangra~ 20 -5 to 40Bada Bhangal (-15)Kangra Plains (43)Mandi~ 18 -10 to 40Shikari Devi (-15)Sunder Nagar (43)Sirmaur~ 20 -10 to 40Churdhar (-20)Paonta Sahib (43)Bilaspur~ 21 -2 to 42Bandla Hill (-5)Bilaspur (43)Hamirpur~ 21 -2 to 40Awah Devi (-3)Neri (46)Una~ 22 -3 to 45Una (-6)Una (46) All the coldest or hottest places in the list are habitable settlements permanently or temporarily. Extremes in some of the other places like mountain passes can be even lower. Passes like Shinkula (5050m), Baralacha (4850m), Rohtang Pass (4000m), Sach Pass (4450m), Kunzum (4500m) can sometimes face extreme temperatures like -30 to -40 degrees or lower.
References