# Snowfall in Himachal 2026-27: Where It Is Snowing Now (Dated Snow Report)

> Where is it snowing in Himachal right now? As of 26 October 2026, snow has fallen on the high passes (Rohtang, Shinku La, Baralacha La, Kunzum La), around the Atal Tunnel north portal and on the Dhauladhar peaks, but not in Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, Shimla or Manali towns. A dated log, first-snow windows by place, and how to check roads before you travel.

- **URL:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/himachal-snowfall-tracker
- **Category:** Seasons
- **Published:** 2026-10-26
- **Updated:** 2026-10-26
- **Author:** Dharamshala Stay Team
- **Image:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/dharamshala-snow.jpg (Snow-covered Dhauladhar peaks above Naddi village near McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala)

**Short answer:** As of **26 October 2026**, snow in Himachal is only on the **high passes and peaks**: Rohtang, Shinku La, Baralacha La and Kunzum La, the **Atal Tunnel north portal and Lahaul (Sissu, Koksar, Keylong)**, Sach Pass in Chamba, and the **Dhauladhar peaks** above Dharamshala. **No snow has fallen in Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, Shimla or Manali towns** this season. The latest report is of snow at the Atal Tunnel north portal on **Sunday 25 October 2026**, and the weather office expects mainly clear days from 26 to 29 October, with rain or snow likely in the high hills on **30 and 31 October**.

![Snow-covered Dhauladhar peaks above Naddi village near McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/dharamshala-snow.jpg)

This is a **living page**. We update it through the 2026-27 winter with each snowfall reported by the weather office or news agencies, always with the date and the source. If a place is not in the log, we have not seen a reliable report of snow there. For Dharamshala in detail, read our [Dharamshala winter and snowfall guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-in-winter-snowfall).

## Himachal Snow Status: Quick Facts (26 October 2026)

| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it snowing now? | High passes and Lahaul only. Latest: Atal Tunnel north portal, 25 Oct 2026 | IANS photos, 25 Oct 2026 |
| First notable snow of the season | Rohtang, Baralacha and Shinkula passes, reported 18 Sep 2026 | Inshorts, 18 Sep 2026 |
| Snow seen from Dharamshala | Fresh snow on the Dhauladhar peaks around 14 to 15 Oct 2026 | The North News; PTI, 15 Oct 2026 |
| Snow in Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj town | None this season so far | No reports found |
| Snow in Shimla or Manali town | None this season so far | No reports found |
| Coldest place reported | Keylong, minimum -2.2 C, the lowest of the season so far | Himachal Dastak, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Dharamshala minimum | 16 C in the same report | Himachal Dastak, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Next chance | Rain and snow likely in the high hills on 30 and 31 Oct; mainly clear 26 to 29 Oct | Forecast reported by Himachal Dastak, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Where to check | IMD Shimla district warnings; police road updates; HRTC route notices | See below |

## Where is it snowing in Himachal right now?

**Only high up.** In October 2026, snow has fallen on the high passes of Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu, around the north portal of the **Atal Tunnel**, at **Sach Pass** in Chamba and on the **Dhauladhar** peaks. The towns most visitors stay in, from Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj to Shimla and Manali, have had rain at most.

That is normal for October. Snow in the hill towns usually comes in **late December to February**, and in some winters much later: Shimla's first snow of last season fell only on **23 January 2026**, after about three months without precipitation (ETV Bharat, 23 Jan 2026).

## Dated snow log, 2026-27 season

Newest first. Amounts are as reported by journalists or officials, not gauge readings. "Approx." means we worked the date out from the report, for example from a weekday.

| Date | Place | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-31 Oct 2026 (forecast) | High hills | Rain and snow likely with a western disturbance; mainly clear 26 to 29 Oct. **Forecast, not yet happened** | [Himachal Dastak, 25 Oct 2026](https://himachaldastak.com/himachal-snowfall-weather-update-keylong-temperature-minus-2-2/) |
| 25 Oct 2026 (Sun) | Atal Tunnel north portal, Lahaul and Spiti | Snowfall; tourists gathered at the north portal | [IANS photos via Social News XYZ, 25 Oct 2026](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/10/25/manali-fresh-snowfall-near-atal-tunnel-gallery-2/) |
| Reported 25 Oct 2026 | Keylong; Kukumseri | Minimum -2.2 C at Keylong, the lowest of the season; Kukumseri -1.1 C. Snow reported around Rohtang and the Atal Tunnel and in high parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba | [Himachal Dastak, 25 Oct 2026](https://himachaldastak.com/himachal-snowfall-weather-update-keylong-temperature-minus-2-2/) |
| 15 Oct 2026 (Thu) | Keylong, Sissu, Koksar, Atal Tunnel north portal; Shinkula, Baralacha and Kunzum tops | Snow from the morning; vehicles skidding near the north portal; police briefly stopped traffic higher up. Leh-Manali highway closed beyond Darcha; Manali-Kaza road closed. IMD Shimla: wet spell until 17 Oct, clear from 18 Oct; yellow alert in 10 districts | [ETV Bharat, 15 Oct 2026](https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/snow-rain-herald-onset-of-winter-in-himachal-pradesh-enn26101503615) |
| 14-15 Oct 2026 | Shinku La, Baralacha La, Kunzum La, Koksar, Jispa, Keylong, Gondla; Sural and Sach Pass (Chamba); Dhauladhar (Kangra) | About 3 in at Sural, about 1 ft at Sach Pass. Rohtang-Sarchu, Darcha-Shinku La and Gramphu-Batal declared inaccessible; Sach Pass closed. Police evacuated about 100 vehicles near Gondla. Rain lower down: Dharamshala 28 mm | [PTI via Awaz The Voice, 15 Oct 2026](https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/snowfall-blankets-himachal-s-highlands-several-passes-closed-69385.html); [Oneindia, 15 Oct 2026](https://www.oneindia.com/india/fresh-snowfall-in-himachal-pradesh-sach-pass-gets-1-foot-of-snow-high-altitude-roads-closed-8236391.html) |
| About 14 Oct 2026 (Wed, approx.) | Dhauladhar hills above Dharamshala | Fresh snow on the peaks after morning rain in the lower areas; tourists out for the view. Not in town | [The North News, 15 Oct 2026](https://www.thenorthnews.in/fresh-snowfall-brightens-dharamshala-tourism-prospects/) |
| 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) | Rohtang and Shinkula passes | Snow on the peaks; Darcha-Shinkula route closed to two-wheelers. Rain in Kullu, Manali and Shimla | [The News Himachal, 11 Oct 2026](https://thenewshimachal.com/2026/10/rain-snowfall-bring-early-chill-to-himachal-rohtang-shinkula-passes-witness-fresh-snow/) |
| 18 Sep 2026 | Rohtang, Baralacha and Shinkula passes | "The season's first significant snowfall"; about 4 in at Rohtang overnight | [Inshorts, 18 Sep 2026](https://inshorts.com/en/news/first-snow-chills-kullu--lahaul-in-himachal-1789701319707) |

We add a row each time a snowfall is reported. For the latest local conditions around Dharamshala, also see our [travel updates](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/travel-updates).

## When does it usually snow, place by place?

No place in Himachal has a fixed snow date. These windows come from dated reports, and the odds are our honest reading of them.

| Place (approx. altitude) | Usual first snow | Odds for a winter visitor | Dated examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| High passes: Rohtang, Baralacha La, Shinku La, Kunzum La | September to October | Snow almost certain from October, but roads close | 18 Sep 2026; 11 Oct 2022, about 6 in at Rohtang (The Tribune) |
| Atal Tunnel north portal, Sissu, Koksar, Keylong (Lahaul) | October onwards | High, from mid-October; access depends on the road being open | 15 Oct and 25 Oct 2026 |
| Spiti (Kaza side) | October onwards on the passes | High, but the Manali-Kaza road via Kunzum closes with snow | Kunzum La snow and Manali-Kaza road closed, 15 Oct 2026 |
| Dhauladhar peaks above Dharamshala | "Usually November", per The Tribune; varies a lot | Snow on the peaks is visible from town most of winter | Mid-Oct 2026 and 11 Oct 2022 (early); 17 Jan 2024 (very late, after a dry autumn) |
| Triund ridge (about 2,850 m) | Often by December | Very likely December to March | See our [winter guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-in-winter-snowfall) |
| McLeod Ganj, Naddi, Dharamkot (about 1,750 to 2,100 m) | Late December to February, January likeliest | A few days a winter, not guaranteed | Last: 23-24 Jan 2026; 1 Feb 2024 |
| Lower Dharamshala, Kotwali Bazaar (about 1,400 m) | Very rare | Do not plan on it | 8 Feb 2019, first in more than six years |
| Dalhousie | December to February | Possible in a good winter | First snow of the season 30 Dec 2022 (ETV Bharat) |
| Manali town, Kufri, Narkanda | November to January | Fair chance in a good winter; dry winters happen | 16 Nov 2020 first snow in Manali, Kufri, Narkanda (ETV Bharat); Narkanda's first recorded October snow, 17 Oct 2023 (The Tribune) |
| Shimla town | December to January | Lower than Manali; some winters very late | 8 Dec 2024, the first early-December snow locals recalled since the 1990s (The Tribune); 23 Jan 2026 (ETV Bharat) |

Two patterns matter for planning:

- **The higher, the earlier and the surer.** By the time McLeod Ganj sees its first flakes, the passes have usually been white for two months.
- **Dry autumns happen.** In winter 2023-24 the Dhauladhar got its first snow only on 17 January 2024, and The Tribune reported that the valley had neither rain nor snow at the start of winter for the first time in 17 years.

![Snow peaks above the upper Kullu valley of the Beas near Palchan, on the way to Solang and the Atal Tunnel](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/kullu-valley.jpg)

## How do I check snow and roads before I travel?

1. **IMD Shimla (Meteorological Centre Shimla).** District-wise forecasts and colour-coded warnings at [mausam.imd.gov.in/shimla](https://mausam.imd.gov.in/shimla/). Look at the district you are going to (Kangra for Dharamshala, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti for Manali and the Atal Tunnel, Shimla for Kufri and Narkanda).
2. **Police road updates.** Himachal Pradesh Police and the district police (Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla, Kangra) post closures and traffic advisories during snow. In October 2026 police stopped vehicles on Lahaul roads and cleared about 100 stranded vehicles near Gondla.
3. **HRTC bus routes.** HRTC suspends routes when roads ice up; on 24 January 2026 it suspended 58 routes in Kangra district. Check with the depot before you set out.
4. **Your hotel or taxi driver.** They know on the morning whether the McLeod Ganj, Naddi or Solang roads are passable. Our [taxi desk](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi) books drivers who check conditions for you.
5. **Our [travel updates](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/travel-updates)** for Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj and Kangra.

## What road closures should I expect in snow?

Snow closes roads quickly, sometimes within hours, and they reopen only after clearance.

- **High passes close first.** On 15 October 2026, Rohtang-Sarchu, Darcha-Shinku La and Gramphu-Batal were declared inaccessible, Sach Pass was closed, and the Manali-Kaza road shut.
- **The Atal Tunnel road gets slippery.** Vehicles were skidding near the north portal on 15 October 2026. The tunnel itself is not a promise that the road beyond is open on any given day.
- **Town roads can block too.** On 23 January 2026 the Shimla-Kufri road closed and vehicles were stuck near Dhalli Tunnel. In Dharamshala, the McLeod Ganj, Naddi and Dharamkot roads can be icy or blocked for a day after a fall.
- **High treks may be restricted.** In January 2026 a Kangra district order made SP Kangra permission mandatory for treks such as Triund and Kareri, with permissions cancelled on weather alerts. Ask before booking a [winter trek](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/treks).

**Simple rules:** travel in daylight, leave a spare day, do not try to cross a road or pass the police have closed, and use a driver used to hill roads rather than driving yourself in fresh snow.

## Planning a snow trip from Dharamshala?

- **Snow in McLeod Ganj:** come in January or early February and stay in Naddi or Dharamkot for the best odds. See [McLeod Ganj in December](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/mcleod-ganj-in-december) and [Dharamshala in December and January](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-in-december-january).
- **Guaranteed snow:** Triund in winter, with a local guide and current permissions, or the Lahaul side of the Atal Tunnel when the road is open. See [Dharamshala to Manali](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-to-manali) for the drive.
- **Where to stay:** [mountain-view hotels](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels/mountain-view) in Naddi and Dharamkot, or browse all [hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels).
- **Christmas and New Year:** snow then is a bonus, not a given; see the [Kangra Valley Carnival 2026](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/kangra-valley-carnival-2026) and [New Year in McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/new-year-in-mcleod-ganj).

## What is confirmed and what is not (26 October 2026)

| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Snow on the high passes and at the Atal Tunnel north portal in October 2026 | Confirmed by several news reports |
| Fresh snow on the Dhauladhar peaks in mid-October 2026 | Confirmed (The North News; PTI) |
| Snow in Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, Shimla or Manali towns this season | None reported so far |
| Rain or snow on 30 and 31 October 2026 | Forecast only |
| Whether Rohtang Pass is open to tourists today | Not confirmed; check police updates |
| First snow date in McLeod Ganj this winter | Unknown; usually late December to February |

This page is updated through the 2026-27 season. Last checked: 26 October 2026.

## FAQs

**Where is it snowing in Himachal right now?**
As of 26 October 2026, snow has fallen only high up: the Rohtang, Shinku La, Baralacha La and Kunzum La passes, the Atal Tunnel north portal and Lahaul (latest report 25 October 2026), Sach Pass in Chamba and the Dhauladhar peaks. Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, Shimla and Manali towns have had no snow this season.

**When will it snow in Manali and Shimla in 2026?**
Nobody can give a date. Manali, Kufri and Narkanda usually get their first snow between November and January, and Shimla town between December and January; in winter 2025-26 Shimla’s first snow came only on 23 January 2026. Watch IMD Shimla forecasts a few days ahead.

**Is there snow at the Atal Tunnel now?**
Yes, snow fell at the Atal Tunnel north portal in Lahaul on 15 October and again on 25 October 2026, according to ETV Bharat and IANS. Roads there turn slippery and police stop traffic during snow, so check police updates before you drive beyond the tunnel.

**Has it snowed in Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj yet this season?**
Not in town. Fresh snow fell on the Dhauladhar peaks above Dharamshala around 14 to 15 October 2026, while the town had rain. Snow in McLeod Ganj, Naddi and Dharamkot usually comes between late December and February, most often in January, and is never guaranteed.

**Which place in Himachal gets snow first?**
The high passes: Rohtang, Baralacha La, Shinku La and Kunzum La often get snow in September or October; in 2026 the first notable fall was reported on 18 September. Lahaul villages near the Atal Tunnel follow from mid-October, while the hill towns usually wait until December or January.

**How do I check if roads are open after snowfall in Himachal?**
Check the IMD Shimla district warnings, Himachal Pradesh Police and district police traffic updates, and HRTC route notices on the day. Snow can close passes within hours: on 15 October 2026 Rohtang-Sarchu, Darcha-Shinku La, Gramphu-Batal, Sach Pass and the Manali-Kaza road were all shut.

## Sources

- [Meteorological Centre Shimla, India Meteorological Department (official forecasts and district warnings)](https://mausam.imd.gov.in/shimla/)
- [Snowfall near Atal Tunnel north portal, IANS photos (Social News XYZ, 25 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/10/25/manali-fresh-snowfall-near-atal-tunnel-gallery-2/)
- [Snow near Rohtang and Atal Tunnel, Keylong at -2.2 C; forecast for coming days (Himachal Dastak, 25 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://himachaldastak.com/himachal-snowfall-weather-update-keylong-temperature-minus-2-2/)
- [Snow, rain herald onset of winter in Himachal Pradesh (ETV Bharat, 15 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/snow-rain-herald-onset-of-winter-in-himachal-pradesh-enn26101503615)
- [Snowfall blankets Himachal’s highlands, several passes closed (PTI via Awaz The Voice, 15 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/snowfall-blankets-himachal-s-highlands-several-passes-closed-69385.html)
- [Fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: Sach Pass gets 1 foot of snow (Oneindia, 15 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.oneindia.com/india/fresh-snowfall-in-himachal-pradesh-sach-pass-gets-1-foot-of-snow-high-altitude-roads-closed-8236391.html)
- [Fresh snowfall brightens Dharamshala tourism prospects (The North News, 15 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.thenorthnews.in/fresh-snowfall-brightens-dharamshala-tourism-prospects/)
- [Rain, snowfall bring early chill to Himachal; Rohtang, Shinkula passes witness fresh snow (The News Himachal, 11 October 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://thenewshimachal.com/2026/10/rain-snowfall-bring-early-chill-to-himachal-rohtang-shinkula-passes-witness-fresh-snow/)
- [First snow chills Kullu, Lahaul in Himachal (Inshorts, 18 September 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://inshorts.com/en/news/first-snow-chills-kullu--lahaul-in-himachal-1789701319707)
- [Shimla gets first snowfall of season (ETV Bharat, 23 January 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.etvbharat.com/en/videos/season-first-snowfall-blankets-shimla-enn26012303343)
- [A first since 1990s: Shimla sees season’s first snowfall in early December (The Tribune, 9 December 2024; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/a-first-since-1990s-shimla-sees-seasons-first-snowfall-in-early-december-watch-pictures)
- [First spell of snowfall on Dhauladhar range (The Tribune, 18 January 2024; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/first-spell-of-snowfall-on-dhauladhar-range-582222)
- [Severe cold grips mid, higher hills; Narkanda sees first snowfall in October (The Tribune, 18 October 2023; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/severe-cold-grips-mid-higher-hills-in-himachal-narkanda-sees-first-snowfall-in-october-554137)
- [Dalhousie receives season’s first snowfall (ETV Bharat, 30 December 2022; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.etvbharat.com/english/videos/other-videos/dalhousie-receives-seasons-first-snowfall/na20221230224800322322442)
- [Rohtang receives 6-inch snow (The Tribune, 12 October 2022; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/rohtang-receives-6-inch-snow-440461)
- [Season’s first snowfall hits Manali and Kufri (ETV Bharat, 16 November 2020; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/himachal-pradesh/manali-kufri-get-seasons-first-snowfall/na20201116103237373)
- [58 bus routes suspended in Kangra as snowfall blankets McLeodganj (The Tribune, 24 January 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/58-bus-routes-suspended-in-kangra-as-snowfall-blankets-mcleodganj/)

---

From Dharamshala Stay (https://www.dharamshalastay.com). Contact: +91-98057-00665, hello@dharamshalastay.com