The minimum temperature dropped across most parts of the Kashmir valley as the region braces for spells of rain and snowfall later this week, raising the possibility of the first snowfall in the plains this winter, officials said on Tuesday.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Monday night, down from minus 1.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district was the coldest place in the valley, registering a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius. In south Kashmir, Shopian and Pulwama towns recorded minimum temperatures of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius and minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The famous tourist destination of Pahalgam, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, a sharp drop from minus 1.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Meanwhile, the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than the previous night.
Other places in the valley also witnessed sub-zero temperatures, with Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recording minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, officials said.
The Kashmir valley is currently experiencing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter period, during which temperatures often plunge several degrees below the freezing point and the likelihood of snowfall remains high. The period began on December 21 and will end on January 30.
While the higher reaches of the valley have already received several spells of snowfall, the plains, including Srinagar, have remained snowless so far this winter. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast the possibility of snowfall in the plains during the ongoing week.
According to the Met Office, two western disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir in quick succession from January 22 to 24 and again from January 26 to 28.
Under the influence of these systems, widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected across the region, with heavy snowfall at isolated places. The main spell of weather activity is likely on January 23 and January 27, officials said.
