A strong western disturbance is likely to bring an early and intense spell of snowfall to Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand between October 6 and 10. The system, triggered by an abnormal dip in jet streams in the first week of October, is also expected to bring rain and hailstorms across the plains of north India.
Weather analyst Navdeep Dahiya said the impact could be widespread. “We are closely watching a strong western disturbance. It can lead to early and strong snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. In the plains, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi NCR, and Uttar Pradesh may see moderate to heavy rainfall with hailstorms,” he said in a post on Sunday.
The account All India Weather also warned of “serious interactions” between the western disturbance and a monsoon low-pressure system over north India from October 4 to 8. “Although there’s still 5-6 days to go and the forecast may change, please remain watchful for this possibility, as it can bring serious rainfall in a short period of time,” the group posted on X.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not yet issued a formal warning but confirmed that western disturbances remain active.
Has it happened before?
Snowfall in the first week of October is unusual but not without precedent. Historical records show that in October 1877, continuous snowfall began in Kashmir and lasted well into the following spring. Locals reported that in Dras, snow piled up to several dozen feet, making it one of the harshest winters on record.
Last year, Jammu and Kashmir saw its first snowfall of the season on October 6. Gulmarg’s Phase II received around 2 to 3 inches of snow, while the Razdan Pass in Gurez also reported light snowfall. That event marked the start of the winter months for the region.
In more recent years, early snowfall has disrupted movement in the Himalayan region. In 2018, Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh saw untimely snow during the first week of October, forcing the road to remain shut for several days before reopening to tourists.
October 2022 brought similar conditions to Uttarakhand, where snow fell across high-altitude valleys such as Darma, Jyolicang, and Nabhidhang. In 2023, Himachal Pradesh recorded its first snow of the season in late September, blocking the Manali–Leh highway near Darcha.
What does it mean?
The expected system could disrupt agriculture across the plains. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh are preparing for the harvest of paddy and cotton. Rain and hail at this stage could damage crops just before they reach the market.
In the mountains, heavy snow may force closures of highways and mountain passes, cutting off remote areas. Early snow also signals a longer winter season for residents in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where heating and fuel demand will rise sooner than usual.
For the tourism sector, early snowfall can draw visitors to resorts in Gulmarg, Manali, and Auli. Hoteliers see this as an opportunity to extend the tourist season, especially during festive holidays in October.
But for local communities, the same snow can mean blocked roads, disrupted supplies, and higher costs of living. The balance between gain and hardship will depend on how intense the coming western disturbance proves to be.
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
Highway Halt Puts Kashmir’s Fruit Economy at Risk
Microplastics Contaminating Bhopal’s Fresh Vegetables
Stay connected with Ground Report for underreported environmental stories.
Follow us onX, Instagram, and Facebook; share your thoughts at greport2018@gmail.com; subscribe to our weekly newsletter for deep dives from the margins; join our WhatsApp community for real-time updates; and catch our video reports on YouTube.
Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked, thank you for being part of the movement.
