India is currently experiencing signs of an early winter, with unusual early snowfall in parts of North India including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Popular hill stations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Manali, and Kedarnath have been covered with fresh snow, creating scenic winter landscapes that attract tourists but have also caused disruption to traffic and closure of key mountain passes. Meteorologists attribute this early snowfall and the prospect of a longer and colder winter to the potential return of La Nina, a significant climate pattern involving cooler waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which affects global weather systems including northern Indian winters and rainfall patterns.
Early Winter and Snowfall Across North India
Officially in the post-monsoon autumn season, when fields normally turn golden, this year’s early snowfall marks a stark deviation. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have already seen their first snowfalls, turning popular tourist hill stations into winter wonderlands. Visitors have been delighting in snow rides and the captivating snowy views, though this weather has also caused road closures and traffic suspensions, notably on the Rotang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.
La Nina's Role in Weather Changes
La Nina is a natural climate cycle characterized by cooler-than-usual waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near South America, while waters in the western Pacific near Southeast Asia warm up. It is the opposite of El Nino, which warms the eastern Pacific and disrupts weather differently. Experts forecast a high chance of La Nina returning between September and December 2025, bringing shifts in global weather including altered rainfall, temperatures, and wind patterns.
Expected Impact on India's Winter
For India, a strong La Nina typically means more active western disturbances causing cold winds and snowfall in the north. This year, meteorologists anticipate a longer and colder winter with major cities such as New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad facing temperatures lower than average alongside frequent cold waves. While La Nina itself is not dangerous, it can trigger extreme weather events that present challenges for agriculture, infrastructure, and daily life.
What to Expect This Winter
The early snow observed is considered the initial indication of the season’s harshness. This winter is expected to be longer, colder, and more unpredictable than recent years, with likely heavier rainfall in some areas and intense cold spells in northern India. Residents and authorities should prepare for these conditions as they unfold.
This winter outlook by meteorologists calls attention to global climate patterns’ local impacts, emphasizing the need for vigilance and readiness in affected regions.