Himachal in January: the coldest month and the best chance of snow
How cold each part of Himachal gets in January, where you are most likely to see snow, which roads close after a snowfall, and how to plan around New Year crowds — with a live forecast.
- ~9° / 2 °C Shimla, January
- ~10.5° / −1 °C Manali, January
- −13 °C Kaza average night
- Jan best snow month
Photo: UnpetitproleX, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
January is Himachal’s coldest month and the most reliable month for snow. Shimla averages about 9 °C by day and 2 °C at night, Manali about 10.5 °C and −1 °C with five to six snow or rain days, and lower Dharamshala about 16 °C and 6 °C. High places are far colder: Kaza in Spiti averages about −13 °C at night. Snow is likeliest at Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, at Solang and Sissu near Manali, at Dalhousie’s Dainkund and on the Dhauladhar above McLeod Ganj. Roads usually reopen within hours to a day or two after heavy snow. New Year week is crowded and costly; the rest of January is quieter.
- ColdestSpiti and Lahaul (−13 °C to −25 °C nights); Manali and Shimla below freezing on many nights.
- Snow oddsHighest at Kufri, Narkanda, Solang, Sissu, Dainkund; lower in Shimla and Manali towns.
- RoadsShimla and Manali stay reachable; Solang–Atal Tunnel–Sissu and Kufri–Narkanda close after heavy snow.
- Crowds25 Dec – 2 Jan is peak; mid and late January are quiet.
- PackThermals, a down or padded jacket, gloves, cap and shoes with grip.
Shimla, Manali, Narkanda and Kaza weather today
Current temperature and the next days’ high, low, rain and snow in four very different parts of Himachal.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
How cold is Himachal in January?
Temperatures below are long-term January averages; single nights after a snowfall can be several degrees colder. Our detailed month guides have the full numbers and sources.
| Place | Height | January day / night | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla | ~2,200 m | ~9 °C / 2 °C | Best month of the year; more likely at Kufri and Narkanda |
| Manali | ~2,050 m | ~10.5 °C / −1 °C | 5–6 snow or rain days; surest at Solang and beyond |
| Dharamshala | ~1,450 m | ~16 °C / 6 °C | Dhauladhar white; McLeod Ganj and Naddi in some years |
| Dalhousie | ~2,000 m | Cold, sub-zero nights common | Dainkund and Kalatop most likely |
| Narkanda | ~2,700 m | Colder than Shimla | Most snow near Shimla; skiing in a good winter |
| Kaza, Spiti | ~3,650 m | ~1–2 °C / −13 °C | Dry cold, frozen streams; reach via Shimla–Kinnaur only |
Where to see snow in Himachal in January
Snow in the towns themselves is never certain. If snow is the point of your trip, plan a base close to higher ground and keep a day free to go up when the weather allows.
| Area | Where snow is likeliest | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Near Shimla | Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda and Hatu Peak | Shimla or Narkanda |
| Near Manali | Solang valley, Atal Tunnel north portal, Sissu in Lahaul | Manali |
| Chamba side | Dainkund, Kalatop, Khajjiar after a snowfall | Dalhousie |
| Kangra side | McLeod Ganj, Naddi, Triund ridge | McLeod Ganj |
| High valleys | Kinnaur (Kalpa, Chitkul when open) and Spiti — snow and ice everywhere | Kalpa, Kaza |
Live snow forecasts: Shimla snowfall · Kufri snowfall · Dalhousie snowfall · हिमाचल में बर्फबारी (Hindi).
Which roads close in January?
Shimla and Manali themselves stay reachable through January; the main highways are cleared quickly, though a heavy snowfall can stop traffic for a few hours to a day.
Manali → Solang → Atal Tunnel → Sissu: after snow, the police often stop private cars at Solang or Palchan until the road is cleared; 4x4s and chains may be required. Shimla → Kufri → Narkanda: traffic is held at Dhalli or Kufri after heavy snow. Spiti is reachable only through Shimla and Kinnaur; the Manali–Kunzum road is shut all winter. Jalori Pass and the Hatu road are often closed.
Travel in daylight with a driver who knows snow roads, keep a buffer day, and check the forecast the night before.
A 6-day Himachal snow trip in January
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi or Chandigarh → Shimla; evening on the Mall and the Ridge. |
| 2 | Kufri and Narkanda for snow; back to Shimla or stay in Narkanda. |
| 3 | Shimla → Manali via Mandi (long day, about 8–9 hours). |
| 4 | Solang valley, and Sissu through the Atal Tunnel if the road is open. |
| 5 | Old Manali, Hadimba temple, Vashisht hot springs; buffer for weather. |
| 6 | Manali → Chandigarh or Delhi. |
Want it planned for you? See Himachal tour packages or ask for a written quote.
Himachal in January, in pictures
Shimla, Manali, Narkanda, Solang, Sissu, McLeod Ganj and Spiti under winter snow — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
More winter guides
Our detailed month and snow pages.
Plan a January snow trip with us
Hotels, meals and a private car with a driver used to snow roads — in one written quote.
Planning Himachal in January?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you start from. We plan the route around the weather and send one written quote with hotels, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with Himachal Pradesh Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal in January: common questions
Is January a good time to visit Himachal?
Yes, if you want snow and can handle the cold. It is the coldest month and the best for snow near Shimla and Manali; pack warm and keep a buffer day for weather.
Will I see snow in Shimla in January?
Possibly, but far from certain in town. Kufri and Narkanda, higher up, have much better odds.
Is the Atal Tunnel open in January?
The tunnel itself stays open, but after snowfall the approach from Solang is often closed to private cars until the road is cleared.
How cold is Manali in January?
About 10.5 °C by day and −1 °C at night on average, colder after a snowfall.
Can I visit Spiti in January?
Yes, only via Shimla and Kinnaur, with a winter-experienced driver; nights fall to −15 °C to −25 °C.
What should I pack for Himachal in January?
Thermal layers, a down or padded jacket, gloves, a woollen cap, warm socks and shoes with good grip.
Sources
- India Meteorological Department — climatological normals 1991–2020
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
Shimla under fresh snow, seen from Longwood — Photo: UnpetitproleX, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Manali in winter after a snowfall — Photo: Shivendujha, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christ Church and the Ridge after snowfall — Photo: ShashankSharma2511, CC BY 3.0 · Fresh snow at Narkanda — Photo: Aggkanika, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Snow at Solang, about 14 km from Manali — Photo: Bleezebub, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sissu under snow — Photo: Navneet Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0 · A snow-laden street in McLeod Ganj — Photo: Derek Blackadder, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Key monastery in winter — Photo: Ksuryawanshi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yaks in the snow — Photo: Ksuryawanshi, CC BY-SA 3.0
