SRINAGAR: Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded the coldest night of the winter season so far, with the minimum temperature plunging to minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, as fresh snowfall covered several higher-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing a further dip in temperatures.
According to independent weather forecaster Kashmir Weather, fresh snowfall of approximately 1–2 inches was recorded in Sonamarg, Gurez Valley and Zojila Pass during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.
Gulmarg also witnessed a light spell of snowfall, although no significant accumulation was reported on the ground. Light snowfall was additionally observed at Sinthan Top, Margan Top and Peer Ki Gali during the early morning hours on Sunday, indicating continued winter activity across the higher reaches.
The fresh snowfall comes days after a strong Western Disturbance affected Jammu and Kashmir on November 12 and 13, bringing widespread rainfall to the plains and moderate to heavy snowfall across several mountainous areas.
During the previous spell, Sadhna Top and Razdan Pass received more than a foot of snow, while Sinthan Top recorded around 8–10 inches of accumulation.
The latest precipitation marks a further transition towards winter in the Valley, where temperatures generally begin declining during November. The region’s harshest 40-day winter period, known as Chillai Kalan, begins on December 21 and continues until January 30.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir from November 15 to 21, with partly cloudy conditions likely towards November 20 and 21.
