Weather stations in Haa recorded snow depth of 1.8cm followed by Gasa with 1.5cm on January 24, according to the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM).

Snow sleets were reported at the station in Bumthang.

The NCHM had issued an advisory on January 23 forecasting the possibility of light to moderate rain or snowfall over the passes of Haa, Thimphu, Gasa, Bumthang, Trongsa and isolated regions in the north.

The higher passes and mountain peaks of Thimphu, Bumthang, Trongsa and Paro also experienced snowfall the same day.

Few other dzongkhags received rainfall. The highest recorded rainfall was in Dagana with 10.4mm, followed by 5.5mm in Tashiyangtse and 3mm in Gasa.

No rainfall was recorded by the stations in most of the southern dzongkhags such as Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and some central and eastern dzongkhags of Pemagatshel, Lhuentse, Wangdue and Punakha.

The western, northern and central parts of the country recorded lower minimum temperatures.

The lowest was in Haa station at -9 degree Celsius. The station in Paro recorded – 4 degree Celsius, and -3.5 degree Celsius in Gasa.

A temperature of -3 degrees Celsius was recorded in the capital.

Chief of Weather and Climate Services with NCHM, Singay Dorji, said that mostly sunny weather is expected across the country with warmer temperature in the coming days. “For the next few weeks, we are not expecting any snow. Weather conditions might improve.”

He said that the weather system is being monitored, and that forecast updates would be issued for any changes.

Royal Bhutan Police informed that the  Haa to Paro road via Chelela pass which remained closed is now open to traffic. “However, please exercise caution while driving along that route.”

Karma Cheki