Why Is Shimla Cooler Than Amritsar Despite Similar Latitudes? The Altitude Factor

Shimla and Amritsar lie at roughly the same latitude (~31°N), but Shimla is significantly cooler because of its much higher elevation:

• Shimla: ~2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level in the Himalayan foothills.
• Amritsar: ~230 m (750 ft) in the Indo-Gangetic plain.

Temperature drops ~6.5°C per 1,000 m altitude gain (lapse rate). This makes Shimla pleasant in summer (15–25°C) and cold in winter (often below freezing), while Amritsar experiences extreme heat (45°C+) and mild winters.