Kashmir’s Harshest Winter Period Concludes, Overcast Skies Spark Hopes for Precipitation
The higher altitudes of the valley saw more substantial snowfall, while the plains stayed mostly dry, with only light to moderate snow accumulation.
Srinagar, Jan 30: The 40-day “Chillai Kalan,” widely regarded as the harshest period of winter in Kashmir, came to a close on Thursday. The day ended with bright, sunny weather, but the overcast skies later in the evening stirred hopes for some much-needed precipitation after an extended dry spell.
Chillai Kalan, which commences on December 21, is known for its extreme cold and heavy snowfall, with temperatures plunging well below freezing. During this period, Kashmir typically experiences its heaviest snowfall, which is crucial for replenishing the region’s water resources.
This year, the winter began with a drastic dip in temperatures, as Srinagar recorded an all-time low of minus 8.5 degrees Celsius on the very first day of Chillai Kalan. This temperature shattered a 50-year-old record, sending shockwaves through the region. However, despite the extreme cold, snowfall during Chillai Kalan remained largely absent, and January saw minimal precipitation overall.
The latter half of the period was marked by unusually warm days, with maximum temperatures hovering five to seven degrees above the seasonal average. This anomaly led to a notable lack of the usual heavy snowfall that characterized the period.
On January 29, higher reaches of north Kashmir received light snowfall, offering some respite. However, the valley remained mostly dry, with the cloud cover on Thursday evening reigniting hopes for rain or snow in the coming days.
Following the conclusion of Chillai Kalan, Kashmir will enter the 20-day “Chillai Khurd” (small cold) phase, followed by the 10-day “Chillai Bachha” (baby cold), which is typically marked by milder temperatures.
In terms of nightly temperatures, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at minus 1.5 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam, located in the south, saw a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, while the ski resort town of Gulmarg dipped to minus 7.6 degrees. Meanwhile, the highway town of Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag settled at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius as well. Kupwara, in the north, registered a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.
As Kashmir transitions to the remaining phases of winter, residents and officials are eagerly awaiting the arrival of snow or rainfall to alleviate the dry conditions and ensure adequate water supplies for the region.
