Shimla, Dec 31 : Himachal Pradesh experienced the coldest December in over 15 years this winter with the minimum temperature recording two to three degrees Celsius below normal across the state, the Met office said Thursday.

"This month was the coldest in the hill state in more than 15 years. It was due to the absence of the western disturbances," Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office, told IANS.

He said that due to the absence of western disturbances, nights were clear and that led to emission of long wave radiations from the earth.

"The emissions of long wave radiations were more during nights due to which the night temperatures were 2-3 degrees Celsius below normal during the entire month. Similarly, days were sunny and short wave radiations from the sun were more due to which the days were comparatively warm," Singh explained.

The average temperature in Shimla town was 3.5 degrees Celsius lesser than for the same time last year.

Likewise, Dharamsala in Kangra district was 3.3 degrees Celsius below normal, followed by Sundernagar in Mandi district (1.6 degrees) and Bhuntar in Kullu district (0.8 degrees). (IANS)