Snowfall at prominent resorts in the northern highlands throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays continues to be a major draw for snow fans. The prospect of snow, even if it is only a brief dusting, brings hundreds of more visitors to alpine areas that are already in high demand. Srinagar, Manali, Shimla, and Mussorie continue to be the most popular destinations due to the fact that they are all within a few hours' drive of the plains of Northern India. Around this time of year, Srinagar is the most promising destination, while Shimla is the most difficult to reach.

After a 25-year hiatus, Shimla was graced with snow for Christmas, most recently in 2016. Observations of pre-Christmas snow have occurred in 2014, 2015, and most recently on December 12th, 2018. Shimla is also the last place in the planet to report a freezing mercury level. This year, the jinx is broken, with temperatures below zero for three consecutive days on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of December, breaking the trend. With a one-day margin of error, the chances of commemorating this uncommon event around Christmas are improved significantly.

Between the 23rd and 26th of December, two western disturbances will sweep over the hilly regions of northern India, with the latter being more powerful than the former and passing through in rapid succession. In preparation for the anticipated snowfall around Christmas, overcast skies with moderate showers are forecast over and around Shimla on the 24th of December. Conditions are anticipated to be 'hit and miss for the first snowfall of the season on December 25th, with a greater likelihood of rain than snow on Christmas Eve night. The next day, on the 26th of December, meteorological conditions continue to build and get stronger, resulting in the first snowfall of the season over the former summer capital of British India on the 27th of December.

Though it's a little early to predict, there's a good likelihood of holiday snow in Shimla on the 26th and 27th of December. With a few periods of rain and thundershowers, the leftover impact might last until the 28th of December. Improved weather conditions will be experienced in Shimla, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, which is located at a height of more than 7000 feet. Around this time of year, the famous sister locations of Kufri, which is approximately 20 kilometers away and has an elevation of 9000 feet, and Narkanda, which is approximately 60 kilometers away and has an elevation of nearly the same elevation, are always more popular for witnessing snowfall with certainty. New Year's Eve is expected to be bone freezing, with a powerful cold wave sweeping throughout the country but with no precipitation. Maintaining a positive attitude while snowing is recommended.