Himachal Weather by Month: Shimla, Manali, Spiti & 17 Hill Stations Snow Guide (2026)
Updated: November 2026
Short answer: Himachal in November and December is mostly dry and sunny with cold nights. Snow has already fallen on the high passes and in Spiti and Kinnaur (first snow 26–28 September 2026), and the 15 October 2026 spell shut the Manali–Kaza and Manali–Leh roads for winter. The hill towns — Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, McLeod Ganj — usually get their snow between late December and February; Kufri, Narkanda, Solang and Sissu turn white sooner. Live forecasts for 17 Himachal places are coming soon to this page; until then, check the latest IMD forecast before you travel.
Quick answer: Himachal weather at a glance
- Earliest snow: high passes, Spiti and Kinnaur (September–November).
- Easiest reliable snow: Solang and Sissu near Manali, Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla (late December–February).
- Town snow: Shimla and Manali mostly January–February; in 2025–26 the first came on 23 January 2026.
- Closed for winter (2026–27): Rohtang for tourists, Kunzum (Manali–Kaza) and Baralacha La (Manali–Leh) since 15 October.
- Wettest: Dharamshala and Dalhousie in July–August; avoid the monsoon unless flexible.
- Check daily: HP Police and district traffic advisories and the IMD Shimla bulletin.
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Which Himachal places get snow, and when?
Altitudes are approximate (published figures differ for several places). “Best snow months” describes the usual pattern, not a promise; every winter is different.
| Place | Altitude | Best snow months |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla | about 2,200–2,300 m | January–February |
| Kufri | about 2,500 m | Mid-December–February |
| Narkanda | about 2,700 m | Late December–February |
| Chail | about 2,250 m | January–February |
| Kasauli | about 1,800 m | Rare; late December–mid-February |
| Manali | about 2,050 m | Mid-December–February |
| Solang Valley | about 2,500 m | December–February |
| Sissu (Lahaul) | about 3,100 m | November–March |
| Kasol | about 1,580 m | Occasional; Tosh January–February |
| Jibhi | about 1,600–1,900 m | January–February; Jalori late December–March |
| Kaza (Spiti) | about 3,650–3,800 m | October–March |
| Kalpa | about 2,760–2,960 m | December–February (most in January) |
| Chitkul | about 3,450 m | November–March |
| McLeod Ganj / Dharamshala | about 2,080 m / 1,450 m | January–February (McLeod, Naddi) |
| Dalhousie | about 1,970 m | Late December–February |
| Khajjiar | about 1,920 m | January–February |
| Bir Billing | about 1,525 m (Billing about 2,400 m) | Rare in Bir; Billing some winters |
What are the winter averages at Himachal’s weather stations?
These are India Meteorological Department climate normals (average daily maximum / minimum, °C). Places without a station run colder roughly in line with height — about 6.5°C per 1,000 m.
| Station | December | January | Normals period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla | 11.9 / 4.0 | 9.3 / 1.7 | 1991–2020 |
| Manali | 13.5 / 0.3 | 10.5 / −1.1 | 1991–2020 |
| Dharamshala (lower town) | 18.4 / 7.1 | 16.0 / 5.9 | 1991–2020 |
| Dalhousie | 14.4 / 4.4 | 11.5 / 2.3 | 1961–1990 |
| Bhuntar (Kullu airport) | 18.2 / 1.5 | 16.1 / 1.6 | 1991–2020 |
| Kalpa (Kinnaur) | 9.3 / −1.6 | 5.2 / −3.8 | 1991–2020 |
What has the 2026–27 winter done so far?
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 17–18 September 2026 | About four inches of snow on Rohtang. | The Tribune, 18 September 2026 |
| 26–28 September 2026 | First snow in Kinnaur’s Pooh area, then Kaza, Losar, Tabo, Kalpa and Chitkul. | The Tribune, 27 September 2026 |
| 10–11 October 2026 | Fresh snow on Rohtang, Shinku La, Kunzum and Baralacha La. | Amar Ujala / The News Himachal, 11 October 2026 |
| 15 October 2026 | Snow shut the Manali–Kaza road (Gramphu–Batal) and Manali–Leh beyond Darcha. | ThePrint / PTI, 15 October 2026 |
| 25 October 2026 | First snow on Hatu Peak above Narkanda. | The Tribune, 25 October 2026 |
Last winter for comparison: very dry until a statewide spell on 23 January 2026 that closed 535 roads (ANI, 24 January 2026). Our season tracker: Himachal snowfall winter 2026-27.
Which Himachal roads close in winter?
| Road / pass | Winter status | Usually reopens |
|---|---|---|
| Rohtang Pass (Manali) | Closed to tourists | Around mid-May |
| Atal Tunnel to Sissu/Keylong | Open most days; 4×4 with chains only, or closed, after fresh snow | — |
| Kunzum La (Manali–Kaza) | Closed since 15 October 2026 | Around June |
| Baralacha La (Manali–Leh) | Closed beyond Darcha since 15 October 2026 | Around June |
| Jalori Pass (Jibhi–Ani, NH-305) | Shuts or 4×4-only after heavy snow, usually late December–March (closed 5–9 February 2025) | March–April |
| NH-5 Shimla–Narkanda–Kinnaur | Open; closures beyond Dhalli and at Narkanda after snow | — |
| Dalhousie–Khajjiar | Among the first local roads to close after snow | Within hours to days |
Check HP Police and district traffic advisories on the day. More: Rohtang road status, Jalori Pass.
When is the best time to visit Himachal?
| Trip type | Best months | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | Late December–February | Solang, Sissu, Kufri, Narkanda; towns in January–February |
| Honeymoon | March–April, October–mid-December | Manali, Shimla, McLeod Ganj, Dalhousie |
| Family | April–June, October | Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Dharamshala |
| Road trips to Spiti/Lahaul | Mid-June–September | Full Spiti circuit, Chandratal |
| Budget | November, early December, March | Most hill towns, off-season rates |
See also best time to visit Himachal.
What this means for your trip
In November and early December, choose Himachal for clear skies and quiet roads, and go to Solang, Sissu or Narkanda if you want snow. For a snow holiday, book January–February with a flexible day. Our Himachal tour packages, Himachal trip cost and snowfall in Manali guides help you plan. All regions: Mountain Weather.
Himachal weather: frequently asked questions
When does it snow in Himachal?
The high passes, Spiti and Kinnaur get snow from September–November; the resort belt (Solang, Kufri, Narkanda, Sissu) from December; the towns mostly in January–February. In 2026 the first snow fell in Kinnaur and Spiti on 26–27 September.
Where can I see snow in Himachal in December?
Solang and Sissu near Manali, Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, Dainkund near Dalhousie and the Kinnaur–Spiti valleys. Town snow in December is possible but not reliable.
Which is colder, Shimla or Manali?
At night, Manali: its January average minimum is −1.1°C against 1.7°C in Shimla (IMD 1991–2020). By day they are similar.
Is Spiti open in winter?
Yes, but only via Shimla and Kinnaur. The Manali–Kunzum route has been closed since 15 October 2026 and normally reopens around June.
Is Rohtang Pass open in winter?
No. It closes to tourists for winter and usually reopens around mid-May. Use the Atal Tunnel to Sissu for winter snow.
Which months should I avoid in Himachal?
July and August, the heaviest monsoon months, when landslides can block roads for hours or days — especially around Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Shimla and Kullu.
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