Shimla and its surrounding areas were lashed by rain and sleet, followed by light snowfall, while higher reaches of the state received another spell of moderate snowfall, causing sharp fall in day temperatures.
The sky remained heavily overcast and strong velocity icy winds swept the region while thick fog engulfed Shimla and adjoining areas, reducing visibility and hampering vehicular traffic.
Normal life was hit in the state capital as slippery roads covered with snow and sleet affected traffic movement.
Dhauladhar and Churdhar mountain ranges and high mountains in Shimla and Kullu district also received moderate snowfall, causing sharp fall in mercury in adjoining valleys.
Shimla received 5 cm of snow and 2 mm of rains while Mashobra, Kufri and Fagu had 10 cm of snow.
Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was coldest in the region with minimum temperature at minus 7.2 degrees Celsius. Both Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district and key tourist resort of Manali recorded a low of minus 1 degree, followed by Solan 4.2 degrees, Sundernagar 4.6, Bhuntar 5.6, Palampur 6.5, and Una 7.0 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperatures dropped to 20.5 degrees Celsius in Una while Shimla, Manali and Kalpa recorded a maximum of 12.0, 11.6 and 9.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The local MeT office has predicted rain or snow at isolated places in lower, mid and higher hills tomorrow and dry weather in the region from January 9 onwards.
