Regional climate change and climate variability study over Shimla and adjoining areas of the western Himalaya

Climatic data on rainfall, wet day frequency, ground frost frequency, temperature, and vapor pressure from the Shimla district of the Western Himalayas are analyzed. Pre-monsoon rainfall and wet day frequency show a significant increasing trend, whereas ground frost frequency indicates a significant decreasing trend over the Shimla region and adjoining areas during 19012002. Temperature and vapor pressure indicate a significant increasing trend in all the season, except monsoon. The study shows that the Himalayas witnessed a significant change in wet days, ground frost frequency, temperature and vapor pressure in the past few decades, which suggests that climate change has taken place in the adjoining areas of the western Himalayas.