Sub-zero conditions prevailed across Kashmir Valley and Ladakh even there was a slight rise in minimum temperature amid the forecast for snow and rain spell from next week.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar, the summer capital of JK, recorded a low of minus 2.4°C against the previous night’s minus 3.0°C. Although the temperature was six notches above the previous night, it was minus 0.3°C below normal for this time of the year.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of a 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21.
The mercury at the world-famous resort of Gulmarg settled at minus 6.0°C against minus 9.0°C on the previous night, he said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 4.0°C against 3.0°C on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.0°C against minus 6.6°C on the previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 3.3°C on the previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 1.8°C against minus 2.6°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu, the JK’s winter capital, saw a rise in temperature by 5 notches from the previous night, recording a low of 5.6°C which is minus 1.7°C below normal for the place during this time of the year, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 13.2°C against last night’s minus 15.0°C while Kargil station recorded a minimum of minus 12.3°C.
Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 16.8°C, the official said.
The weatherman has said that “heavy snow” was expected at someplace in Jammu and Kashmir from January 5 to 6 and that it may affect road and aerial transportation.
“As per today’s analysis, widespread snow/rain spell of moderate-intensity is most likely during 4-6 January in both JK and Ladakh with main activity on 5-6,” the official said.
“Heavy Snow is expected at some places during 5-6,” he said, adding, “(It) may affect the surface and air transportation.”
He said light snow was expected over higher reaches of Kashmir during January 2-3. “Expect colder days and warmer nights from January 2nd onwards,” he added.