[Himachal GK] Climate of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh exhibits considerable variation in the distribution of rainfall and temperature due to varying aspects and altitudes.  Precipitation declines from west to east and south to north.  The average annual rainfall of Himachal is 1111 mm, varying from about 450 mm in Lahaul & Spiti to over 3,400 mm in Dharamsala, the district headquarters of Kangra.  About 70% of this precipitation is received during the months of July to September.  Winter precipitation in the form of snowfall is received at elevations above 1800 m.  An average of 3 m of snowfall is experienced from December to March at elevations above 3000 m.  The reaches above 4500 m above msl remain under almost perpetual snow.  District-wise figures of rainfall in Himachal Pradesh are given in table.

District Wise Trends in Rainfall

(Rainfall in millimeters)

S.No.   District                        1999                2000                2001                2002            2003

1.         Bilaspur                       1469.2               894.1             1083.3             1049.9       1069.1

2.         Chamba                       2223.1             1414.2               936.5             1269.7       1969.6

3.         Hamirpur                     1273.3             1320.7             1314.0             1104.6       1292.0

4.         Kangra                          905.6             1353.4             1818.4             1101.5       1679.4

5.         Kinnaur                         412.6               548.5               432.6             742.2          239.6

6.         Kullu                           1272.2             1088.0               922.0             733.4          947.8

7.         Lahaul-Spiti                  467.6               484.8               336.1             382.8          554.4

8.         Mandi                          1958.3             1397.6             1471.0             1083.5       1476.8

9.         Shimla                           842.3               907.6               761.8             1103.2         977.1

10.       Sirmor                         1394.4             1217.6             1351.1             1187.9       1356.5

11.       Solan                           1182.9               937.4               856.5               908.9         856.7

12.       Una                             1009.6               869.6             1446.7             1345.2       1661.1

Average for H.P.                   1277.6             1052.4             1067.5             984.8         1,131.7

Source: Directorate of Land Records, Himachal Pradesh

Temperature decreases from west to east.  Whereas January is the coldest month, the highest temperature is recorded during the month of June.

The relative humidity is usually high in the months of July, August and September and varies between 76 and 95 percent.  Presence of dense forests sometimes causes high humidity at some places even during the months of December and January.  There are three marked seasons in Himachal Pradesh.  

These are:-

(a) Summer Season (April to June)

(b) Rainy Season (July to September)

(c) Winter Season (October to March)

Based on regional variations in rainfall, temperature and humidity, the State can be divided into the following five climatic zones:

(a)    Sub-tropical Zone (below 900 m)

(b)   Warm Temperate Zone (900m to 1800 m)

(c)    Cool Temperate Zone (1800 m to 2400 m)

(d)   Cold High Mountain Zone (2400 m to 4000 m)

(e)    Snowy Frigid Zone (above 4000 m)