At a time when people in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh are battling poor visibility and severe cold conditions due to dense fog, the weather pattern in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh is completely different, marked by bright sunshine and clear skies. Meteorologists attribute this sharp difference between the plains and hilly areas to a combination of topography, wind patterns, humidity levels and pollution loads.

According to experts, the plains are prone to fog due to stagnant air and moisture accumulation, while the downward flow of winds from higher altitudes, absence of large water bodies and relatively low levels of pollutants in the hilly areas are the primary reasons behind the clear conditions in the higher reaches of Himachal.