Cold wave tightens grip as mercury drops further across HP

Most parts of Himachal Pradesh today reeled under piercing cold wave conditions as mercury dropped further inspite of dry weather.
The night temperatures stayed 12 to 18 degrees Celsius below freezing point in high-altitude tribal areas and mountain passes, the weather department here said.
Keylong and Kalpa in tribal areas recorded a low of minus 7.4 and minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, while the mercury dropped down to a minimum of 1.6 degrees Celsius in Manali.
Solan, Sundernagar and Bhuntar shivered at 2.0 degrees Celsius, while Shimla and Una recorded minimum temperatures of 4.5 degrees Celsius each, followed by Palampur (6.3), Nahan (7.0) and Dharamsala (7.3).

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature rose marginally at some places and Una in Shiwalik foothills was hottest with a high of 24.2 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperaturesat Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Solan were recorded at21.1, 20.6 and20.0 degrees Celsius, respectively, followed by Shimla (16.1), Dharamsala(15.8), Manali (15.6), Kalpa (9.9) and Keylong (2.2).
The local Meteorological office has predicted dry weather in the region over the next six days till January 1.