As October 2025 unfolds, India is already feeling the grip of winter in its mountainous north. Satellite scans and ground reports indicate heavier-than-usual snowfall across the Himalayan region, surpassing even last November’s early-season snow cover. This early accumulation is stirring concern among meteorologists, climate experts, and residents: we may be in for one of the coldest starts to winter in recent years.
Snowfall Arrives Ahead of Schedule
Popular hill stations like Gulmarg, Rohtang Pass, and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have already seen snow in early October—weeks before the traditional start of the season. In fact, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and weather agencies attribute this to an early and unusually strong Western Disturbance sweeping moisture-laden air into the Himalayas.
In Uttarakhand, sacred hill towns like Kedarnath received their first snowfall on October 6, enveloping peaks and ridges in a fresh white coat. Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, heavy snow and rain have disrupted lines of transport: the Manali–Leh highway was blocked, and passes like Rohtang and Atal Tunnel experienced intermittent closures. The Times of India+2The Times of India+2
Colder Than Normal Winter May Be on the Cards
Meteorological agencies are taking notice. The IMD and the U.S. Climate Prediction Center both suggest there is a high probability (around 71%) of a colder-than-average winter for northern India, owing partly to La Niña conditions. That said, experts caution it’s premature to label the entire season as extreme—the interplay of climate variability and regional weather systems may alter the trajectory.
Dr. Naresh Kumar, a scientist with IMD, remarked that current snow and rain patterns reflect “temporary phases” tied to the early arrival of a Western Disturbance. Still, veteran meteorologists like Sonam Lotus warn that for mountainous states, this early snow could stretch the winter window, pushing colder conditions deeper into the season. India Today+1
Impacts and Risks: From Crops to Travel
An early and intense winter brings both beauty and challenge. The abundant snow is already causing road blockages, traffic disruptions, and crop damage in hill districts. Seasonal fruit orchards, especially in Kinnaur and Lahaul–Spiti, are vulnerable to sudden cold snaps before the usual harvest time.
Moreover, fragile terrain and saturated slopes raise the specter of landslides, avalanches, and flooding in glacial lakes. Several glacial lake monitoring missions in Uttarakhand were postponed owing to heavy snowfall and poor visibility.
Cold winds funneling down from these snow-capped heights are already pushing temperatures lower in the plains. In Delhi, nights have turned notably chilly, with maximums dipping well below seasonal norms.
On October 10, an avalanche in the Dhauladhar ranges near Dharamshala made headlines, underscoring the hazards of mounting snow loads and unstable slopes. The Times of India
What to Expect in the Coming Weeks
- More snow and rain are forecast across high Himalayan zones as the current Western Disturbance persists. Travelers and locals are urged to check mountain pass conditions continually.
- Cold wave conditions may penetrate deeper into the plains, especially after sunset, aided by dry air and wind from the north.
- Tourism operators in hill resorts are optimistic, hoping the white blanket will bring early business for winter sports and snow tourism, though logistics may strain in heavier snow.
- Authorities have already begun issuing alerts and advisories for landslides, power outages, and transport disturbances in vulnerable zones. trekupindia.com+2The Times of India+2
Bottom line:
The Himalayas are getting a winter head start this October—white blankets thicker and earlier than last year point toward a possibly colder, longer, and more intense winter. While predictions are not set in stone, signs suggest North India might shiver its way through a chillier season than usual. Stay weather-aware, wrap up warmly, and expect surprises from the skies ahead.
