Uttarakhand's Unseasonal Snowfall: Erratic Weather, Not Early Winter, Say Experts
Uttarakhand has seen heavy rain and snowfall in late September, prompting talk of an early winter. An expert says it is erratic weather linked to climate change.
Uttarakhand's hills have experienced rain and snowfall over the past two days, with unusually cool nights, heavy downpours and overcast skies across many parts of the state. The conditions have led many to ask whether winter has arrived ahead of schedule.
Experts, however, caution against reading the spell as a simple early onset of winter. They describe it instead as part of a broader pattern of erratic weather driven by a changing climate.
Dr DP Dobhal, former senior scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, said Himalayan glaciers receive snow during both the monsoon and winter seasons. September snowfall, he noted, is part of the region's natural pattern, but climate change and rising temperatures are affecting how long snow remains on the ground.
He described the recent snowfall as a positive development, particularly at higher elevations. Yet rising temperatures mean that even when snow falls, it may not get enough time to settle and freeze.
Another significant shift is the rising snowline. Areas up to around 4,000 metres are now receiving rain, while snowfall has gradually moved to higher elevations. Dr Dobhal said this change has become more pronounced over the past decade, with summers growing longer and snowfall that traditionally occurred in January and February increasingly observed in March, April and even May.
The state has witnessed heavy rain and snowfall three times in the final days of September — an unusual pattern that experts say carries both encouraging and worrying signals. Global warming is affecting glaciers not only in the Arctic but also in the Himalayas, and rising surface temperatures are preventing snow from settling. The changing climate is also making rainfall erratic.
Earlier, the Meteorological Department issued forecasts for most districts of Uttarakhand covering September 26 and 27. The state government has reiterated its call for residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution, check weather updates before travelling, and follow all safety advisories issued by administrative and meteorological agencies.