SRINAGAR: Cold conditions prevailed across Kashmir on Thursday as minimum temperatures dipped further at most places, while a western disturbance expected to affect the region later in the day is likely to bring fresh snowfall, officials said.
Night temperatures fell below the freezing point across the valley, with Srinagar recording a minimum of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, a drop of one degree from the previous night.
Tourist resort Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district was the coldest place in the valley, registering a low of minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, down from minus 5.5 degrees Celsius a night earlier. The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius.
In south Kashmir, Pahalgam — a key tourist destination and base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra — recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 3.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag and Kupwara registered lows of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius and minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Officials said two strong western disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir this week, with the first system impacting the region on Thursday and another expected around January 26. Under their influence, widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall — including in the plains of the Kashmir Valley — is forecast.
The main spell of weather activity is expected on January 23 and January 27. The system arriving on Thursday could bring an end to the prolonged dry spell in the plains, with the Meteorological Department predicting the possibility of light to moderate snowfall in Srinagar and adjoining areas.
Authorities have cautioned that the weather systems may disrupt surface and air traffic during the period.
Kashmir Valley is currently observing Chilla-i-Kalan, a 40-day period of intense winter cold marked by sub-zero night temperatures and the highest probability of snowfall.
