Dehradun Weather In December 2019

Let’s talk about Dehradun in December 2019. Not the Dehradun from travel brochures with sunny hills and perfect postcard skies. I mean the real, honest-to-goodness Dehradun that woke up every single morning feeling personally attacked by fog.

You know that feeling when you open your curtains and see a thick, white wall of nothing? That was December 2019 in a nutshell. The city didn’t wake up; it just oozed into existence, like a grumpy ghost that forgot its coffee.

The Great Chill That Wasn’t So Great

The temperature was a special kind of mean. Not freezing enough for snow, not warm enough for comfort—just that damp, bone-tingling cold that seeps through your sweaters. You’d wear three layers, a scarf, and a beanie, and still, your nose would run like a broken tap.

I have an unpopular opinion about this. Dehradun’s December cold is a scam. It pretends to be a mild winter, but really, it’s just a wet blanket that never leaves you alone.

You don’t get snow days; you get “fog days,” where the sun is a rumor and visibility is about as good as a bat with a hangover.

Fog: The Unwanted Roommate

The fog wasn’t just morning fog; it was a 24/7 houseguest. It sat on the hills, hugged the roads, and made every bus driver look like a blindfolded gambler. Planes were delayed, trains crawled, and even your own car’s headlights seemed to give up.

Walking to the market felt like stepping into a wet, gray cotton ball. You’d see a shop sign three feet away and still squint, thinking it was a mirage. The best part? Your hair would become a damp, frizzy mess by noon, no matter what you did.

I’ll admit that the fog made for some pretty moody photos. But let’s be honest: moody is just a fancy word for “I can’t see my own feet.”

The “Sunny” Afternoons (Read: Fleeting Myth)

Around 2 PM, the sun would sometimes peek out, like a shy kid at a party. For exactly forty-five minutes, the world looked gorgeous—golden light, clear mountains, and a hint of hope. Then, the fog would slap it back down, and we’d return to our grey reality.

Those brief sun breaks were like a teaser trailer for a movie that never comes out. You’d rush to hang your laundry, only to find it still damp by evening. The drying rack became a permanent indoor sculpture.

And if you were lucky, you’d get one day of crisp, clear air. That day, everyone would talk about the “beautiful weather,” like they’d won the lottery. The next day, boom—back to the foggy abyss.

What to Wear? Honestly, Everything.

December 2019 taught me that layering is not a fashion choice; it’s survival. You’d start with a thermal, add a hoodie, then a jacket, and finally a raincoat—because, surprise, it might drizzle. By evening, you’d look like a marshmallow that had given up on life.

Scarves were essential, not for style, but to protect your face from the icy wind that appeared out of nowhere. Ears turned red, fingers went numb, and hot tea became a beverage of necessity, not leisure. Even the local chai wallahs seemed extra sympathetic, pouring your cup with a sad nod.

I saw people wearing winter boots with shorts because the sun was out for twenty minutes. That’s the Dehradun December fashion—a beautiful, chaotic mess of mismatched survival.

The Only Good News: Food and Fire

Here’s the saving grace. When the fog gets unbearable, you retreat to a cozy café or a roadside kadhai stall. The smell of hot gajar ka halwa and roasted peanuts filled the air, making the cold bearable.

Every restaurant had a siggri (charcoal brazier) at the door, radiating a warmth that felt like a hug from a grumpy grandpa. You’d sit with a plate of momos and a cup of ginger tea, and suddenly, the fog didn’t seem so bad.

That’s the trick, isn’t it? You forgive the weather for its nonsense because it gives you an excuse to eat and hibernate. I’d argue that Dehradun in December is just a long, delicious excuse to do absolutely nothing.

My Final (Unpopular) Verdict

Don’t come to Dehradun in December expecting a winter wonderland. Come expecting a cold, soggy, moody town that will force you to slow down. And honestly, that’s not the worst thing in the world.

You’ll leave with chapped lips, a stuffy nose, and a strange affection for the fog. I know I did. Because while the weather was miserable, the memories of huddling for warmth were actually kind of beautiful.

So, here’s to Dehradun’s December 2019—the month that made us all appreciate a single ray of sun and a good, warm blanket. Just don’t forget your umbrella. And a second umbrella. And maybe a space heater.