Snowfall in the higher reaches and light rain in the comparatively lower altitudes in the mountains intensified the cold in the State on Tuesday. While the minimum temperature dropped in Dehradun, the minimum and maximum temperatures dropped by a few notches in various places in the mountains.
Snowfall was reported in various high altitude regions of different districts on Tuesday. In the Chamoli district, snowfall began in the higher reaches after midday. Snow sports destination Auli also received snowfall, which has resulted in some enthusiasm among both the tourists and businessmen connected to tourism. A large number of tourists visit Auli during Christmas and New Year celebrations and snowfall during this period is expected to boost the tourist numbers.
Meanwhile, the State meteorological centre has forecast that dry weather is likely to prevail in the districts of the State on Wednesday. Shallow to moderate fog is likely to occur in some parts of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts today. The meteorological centre has further forecast that the provisional State capital Dehradun is likely to witness a mainly clear sky with mist likely to occur during the morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be about 22 degrees Celsius and six degrees Celsius respectively in Dehradun on Wednesday.
The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in various parts of the State on Tuesday were 22.4 degrees Celsius and 6.6 degrees Celsius respectively in Dehradun, 23.5 degrees Celsius and 6.5 degrees Celsius in Pantnagar, 9.5 degrees Celsius and three degrees Celsius in Mukteshwar and 14.3 degrees Celsius and 3.4 degrees Celsius in New Tehri. The minimum temperature dropped by one degree from normal in Dehradun whereas the maximum and minimum temperatures dropped by five degrees and one degree from normal respectively in Mukteshwar. Similarly, the maximum and minimum temperatures dropped by two degrees and one degree from normal respectively in New Tehri.
Light rainfall was also reported in some places with 6.5 millimetres recorded in Pandukeshwar, five millimetres in Joshimath and 1.5 millimetres in Rajgarhi.