Shimla, Jan 2 : The cold wave has slightly eased its grip on Himachal Pradesh with longer sunny days, but the mornings and late evenings continue to be harsh due to strong chilly winds, the meteorological office here said Saturday.

The Queen of Hills, as Shimla was called by the British, recorded a minimum of 6.6 degrees Celsius, a rise of 1.8 degrees from Friday.

Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district, also saw a rise in the night temperature. It rose by minus 0.1 degrees Celsius from Friday's minus 11.9 degrees.

Similarly, Kalpa in Kinnaur district experienced a low of minus 1.7, a rise of one degree from Friday, a Met office release said.

The temperature was minus 1 degrees Celsius at Sundernagar in Mandi district, minus 1.4 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu district and 3.1 degrees Celsius at Dharamsala in Kangra district.

According to the meteorological office, Shimla, located at an altitude of 7,000 metres, recorded the highest night temperature in the state.

The met office has predicted rain in the mid-hills and rain or snow in the high hills Sunday.(IANS)