Srinagar, Dec 13: Cold conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir as night temperatures remained well below normal in several parts of the Kashmir Valley, with many areas recording sub-zero minimums.
Pulwama emerged as the coldest inhabited place in the Valley, registering a minimum temperature of -4.2°C, followed by Shopian at -3.7°C, signalling the persistence of a cold wave across south Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -2.9°C, while its outskirts experienced sharper cold, with Srinagar Airport touching -4.0°C. Other areas also remained below freezing, including Awantipora (-3.6°C), Baramulla (-3.2°C), Budgam (-3.1°C), Zethan Rafiabad (-3.1°C), Pampore (-2.5°C), Kupwara (-2.4°C), Bandipora (-2.1°C) and Qazigund (-1.6°C).
Tourist destinations witnessed relatively milder conditions. Pahalgam recorded -2.8°C, Sonamarg -0.3°C, and Gulmarg stood at 1.6°C, while Kokernag and Kulgam hovered just above freezing at 0.1°C each. Ganderbal recorded -1.8°C. In the higher reaches, Zojila Pass remained frozen at a severe -17.0°C, reflecting extreme cold conditions.
In contrast, the Jammu region experienced comparatively milder weather. Jammu city recorded 10.3°C, while Jammu Airport registered 10.9°C. Katra recorded 10.2°C, Kathua and Batote 8.0°C each, and Reasi also settled at 8.0°C. In hilly districts, Bhaderwah recorded 3.6°C, Udhampur 3.4°C, Rajouri 3.8°C, and Banihal dipped to 3.8°C.
Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold, with Leh recording -5.6°C, Kargil -5.2°C, and Nubra Valley dipping further to -5.7°C.
Weather officials said chilly and dry conditions are likely to persist across the region, with no major western disturbance expected in the coming days. However, higher reaches may witness occasional light snowfall under partly cloudy skies.