JAMMU: Cold conditions further tightened their grip on the Kashmir Valley as minimum temperatures dropped across the region, while the Meteorological Department (MeT) forecast a series of wet spells over the next few days, particularly in the higher reaches.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Friday night, a sharp fall from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night. Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest place in the Valley, with the mercury plunging to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam registered a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night. Gulmarg, the ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.3 degrees Celsius a night earlier.
Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, which received moderate snowfall on Friday, recorded a low of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, according to MeT officials.
Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius. Kokernag saw the mercury settle at minus 2 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.
The Valley is currently experiencing Chilla-i-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period, during which temperatures frequently plunge well below the freezing point and snowfall chances remain high. Chilla-i-Kalan, which began on December 21, will conclude on January 30, followed by the milder phases of Chilla Khurd and Chillai Bachha.
The Meteorological Department said that back-to-back western disturbances are likely to affect Kashmir, bringing intermittent wet weather over the coming days.
Light snowfall is expected at isolated higher reaches on Saturday and Sunday, while light to moderate rain or snow is likely on January 19 and 20. There is also a possibility of light snowfall at higher altitudes on January 21, followed by light to moderate rain or snow across the region till January 25.
The MeT office further warned that a few districts of the Chenab Valley, the Pir Panjal range, and parts of south Kashmir may receive heavy rain or snowfall between January 23 and 24.
