The winter chill has officially peaked in Munnar as the mercury plummeted to 0 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, December 20, 2025. This marks the lowest temperature recorded in the region this season, transforming the lush green tea estates into a landscape of white frost.
Frost Carpets and Freezing Mornings
The biting cold was most intense in the estate sectors and high-altitude pockets. According to data from the United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI), specific areas like Chenduvarai and Letchmi hit the zero-degree mark, while other popular spots followed closely:
- Silent Valley: 2°C
- Mattupetty: 3°C
- Munnar Town: 4°C
Early morning visitors were greeted by "frost fall," a phenomenon where thin layers of ice cover the grasslands and tea leaves, creating a "white carpet" effect that is a major draw for winter tourists.
#WATCH | Kerala | Cold conditions have intensified in Munnar, with the temperature dropping to 0 degrees Celsius. This is the lowest temperature recorded this season, and according to weather officials, temperatures may dip below zero in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/Gu2yf0SR2Q
— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2025
Weather Forecast: Sub-Zero Dip Likely
Weather officials at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate that this is just the beginning of a severe cold spell. Due to clear skies and the influx of dry northerly winds, temperatures are expected to dip below zero (-1°C to -2°C) in the coming week, particularly during the Christmas-New Year window.
"We are seeing a steady decline in night temperatures," a weather official noted. "If the current atmospheric conditions persist, we will likely see sub-zero temperatures and heavier frost formation by the last week of December."
A Boon for Tourism, A Concern for Tea
The extreme cold has triggered a massive surge in tourist footfall. Hotels and resorts in Munnar are reporting 90% to 100% occupancy as travelers from across India arrive to experience "South India's Kashmir."
However, the local plantation industry is on high alert. Persistent frost can lead to "wilt" in tea leaves, potentially damaging hundreds of hectares of crops if the sub-zero temperatures continue for an extended period.
