Ooty experiences early frost: Best spots, timings, e-pass details for tourists

Scroll through the social media platforms and all you see are chilly, frosty reels from Ooty, tempting wanderlusters to set off to the hill station without a second thought. South India's 'Queen of the Hills' witnessed early frost this year, which began in early December and intensified by the middle of the month. The absence of rain in December is also proving ideal for the climate, say locals. With meteorologists predicting no signs of heavy rain with a clear sky in the coming days, this winter may have the best climate season in store.

Last year, due to unexpected showers, the early snowfall in the first week of December apparently lasted only two days. The snowfall resumed only later, close to Christmas. This year, the sky is clear, which indicates a colder season ahead.

Is it really 'snow' or 'frost'?
While what Ooty experiences in winter is popularly called 'snowfall', experts say the term 'snow' is incorrect, as the phenomenon occurs on the earth's surface, whereas 'snow' forms in the clouds. During clear winter nights, moisture in the air freezes directly onto grass, leaves, rooftops, and vehicles, forming a thin layer of ice crystals called frost. This could melt away soon with the first rays of the sun. But the snowflakes are formed in the clouds, and when they come down after gathering weight, we call it snowfall. There are no scientific records for snowfall in Ooty. The city and suburbs have a long history of prolonged frosty winter days. 

The charm of the frost-clad hills and grasslands is captivating in the morning, when the first sunlight sparkles, blessing the tree tops and grass tips, dancing to the tunes of the biting winter breeze. 

The visuals of visitors enjoying the first frost of the season in Ooty have gone viral on social media. Visitors posing in front of vehicles covered with a thin layer of snow, as well as snow-covered grasslands and trees, have attracted more and more tourists to Ooty.

The spots with high frost formation
The snowfall is high in the low-lying zones, where this week the temperature went as low as 1 degree Celsius, including Finger Post, Fern Hill, Glenmorgan, Emerald, Kanthal-HPF premises, and Race Course.  At Avalanche, the lowest zone, the temperature crossed minus one degree. On Sunday, the temperature at the Botanical Garden was 2.3 degrees Celsius.

Only a morning affair
Many travellers from Kerala who rush to Ooty for a one-day visit to enjoy the snowfall may despair, as only the early birds can enjoy it. By 7 am, the snow would start to vanish, and with the first sunrays of the day, the phenomenon would be over, it was pointed out. Better to stay in Ooty for a day to enjoy the evening fall and the beauty of the morning hours.

Best season to visit: Mid-December to early February
Ideal time: 6 am to 8 am. Frost forms overnight and melts quickly with early sunlight.
Rain may spoil chances 
Experts say that if the night is cloudy, the frost will be thin the next day. Only on clear days would frost form, and they should also be followed by clear nights for the mornings to experience thick frost. If at all the days are clear and the nights are cloudy, it wouldn't result in frosty mornings. Today (Tuesday), the snowfall was light because it drizzled in the morning, whereas on Monday, the phenomenon was at its peak with a clear sky.

Spots to check out
The Grasslands of Golf Course
The vast expanse of the 18-hole golf course in Ooty is a place where a visitor can enjoy the magnificence of snow, with its overnight magic on the grasslands.  Just a few minutes' ride from the city on the Finger Post road, the locale is easily accessible. 

The Ooty Railway Station
The Colonial railway station in the city is a spot where visitors can enjoy the beauty of fall in a vintage British-built station. You can also have a morning walk through the footpath up to Fern Hill station, enjoying the panoramic views on both sides. 

Avalanche Lake
Avalanche is the best place in Ooty to enjoy the 'snow'. A visitor can ride only up to the forest check post, as the area beyond is a restricted zone. One needs to ensure passes from the forest department to enter the zone, and only forest department vehicles are allowed. To view the thin layer of frost, visitors should reach the spot early, which is 28 km away from the city.   

Emerald Valley
With its meadows, tea plantations, and simple households, this cool, calm hamlet, away from the central city, is ideal to enjoy the morning 'snow.' This endearing village is the nearest spot to Avalanche, where visitors throng for a serene stay close to nature and to visit the Emerald Valley and the restricted forest zone. It is tough to enjoy the enthralling morning views of the valley, travelling all the way from Ooty.

Thalakuntha
Frost formation is high at Thalaikundha, 3km from Ooty town, with its grasslands and forest cover. Visitors can enjoy a walk through the meadows and take some photographs.

Rooms full on weekends
The room tariff also went up recently in Ooty. While the base tariff is generally around ₹1000 for a standard double room on weekdays, it rises manifold on weekends. 

E-pass
An e-pass is essential for tourist vehicles to enter Ooty. It can be availed through the official e-pass portal of the Government of Tamil Nadu. An application with travel details and personal details should be uploaded with scanned copies of documents like ID cards and vehicle documents. Moreover, the tourists' facilitation centres at the entry points to Ooty also help visitors obtain an e-pass. But if they source an e-pass in advance, the delay in the process could be avoided.