Overview
- The Shimla Met Office has issued an orange warning for isolated hail, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds for select hill areas in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla.
- A broader yellow alert has been raised for isolated thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusts in additional districts over the coming days as unstable weather continues.
- Meteorologists say a fresh western disturbance that is expected to affect northwest India around June 18 will sustain rainfall across the state through about June 22.
- Recent observations back the warnings: hail and thunderstorms were reported at multiple locations and measured rainfall ranged from about 44.6 mm at Gohar to lower totals at Shimla and Mandi.
- Local impacts are likely to be uneven because of elevation differences, with daytime highs near 36°C in low-lying Una and night lows around 5°C at high-altitude Kukumseri, so residents should prepare for spotty severe weather and sudden temperature shifts.