Srinagar, Dec 14: Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, along with cloud cover over the plains, led to a slight improvement in night temperatures on Saturday, even as cold conditions persisted in parts of the region.
Snowfall was reported in areas including Zojila Pass, Minamarg, Baltal, and the Tulail Valley, providing temporary respite from the ongoing cold wave. Snow accumulation ranged from 1 centimetre to about 3 inches, according to independent weather channel Kashmir Weather.
Following the snowfall, minimum temperatures improved marginally in some areas, while plains remained under cloud cover. In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar recorded a minimum of 2.0°C, Qazigund 0.8°C, Pahalgam 2.4°C, Kupwara 1.2°C, Gulmarg 1.4°C, and Pulwama the lowest at -2.7°C. Srinagar Airport registered 0.6°C, while Awantipora recorded -0.2°C. Other locations such as Baramulla, Bandipora, and Sonamarg saw temperatures ranging from 0.1°C to 1.4°C.
In Jammu, minimums ranged from 11.4°C in Jammu city to 4.7°C in Bhaderwah, with other towns like Katra, Kathua, Udhampur, and Samba recording between 7°C and 11°C.
Ladakh remained frigid with Leh at -5.0°C, Kargil at -4.6°C, and Nubra Valley at -1.8°C.
Weather observers attributed the marginal rise in night temperatures to cloud cover over the plains and fresh snowfall in the higher reaches, while cautioning that cold conditions continue to prevail across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.