SRINAGAR: Cold conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday, with several places in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.
Pulwama emerged as the coldest place in the Valley, registering a minimum temperature of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Shopian at minus 3.9 degrees Celsius. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature at Srinagar airport settled at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.
South Kashmir tourist resort Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, while north Kashmir ski resort Gulmarg registered minus 2.3 degrees Celsius. Anantnag and Awantipora recorded lows of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius each. Kupwara recorded minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, while Bandipora settled at minus 0.7 degrees Celsius. Baramulla and Ganderbal recorded above-freezing minimum temperatures of 0.4 degrees Celsius and 0.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained above freezing. Jammu city recorded a low of 4.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Banihal (2.9°C), Bhaderwah (2.0°C), Udhampur (3.0°C) and Kathua (3.8°C).
In Ladakh, extremely cold conditions prevailed, with Hanle recording the lowest temperature at minus 11.2 degrees Celsius. Leh recorded minus 8.8 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 8.3 degrees Celsius, and Nubra Valley minus 7.1 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, a Western Disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir from late Friday afternoon. Director of the Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said light snowfall is expected over higher reaches, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, as well as mountain passes during the evening hours. The plains of the Kashmir Valley are likely to remain cloudy, with the possibility of light rain or very light snowfall at isolated places.
