Srinagar, Jan 21: Minimum temperatures rose across most parts of Kashmir on Tuesday night, ending the prolonged extreme cold in the plains of the Valley, officials said. The Meteorological Department has forecast wet weather over the coming week, including widespread snowfall.
Two strong western disturbances are expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir this week, with the first system impacting the region on Thursday and the second on January 26. Under their influence, light to moderate rainfall and snowfall is predicted, including in the plains, with heavy falls possible at a few places. The main activity is expected on January 23 and 27, officials said.
The upcoming system could bring snowfall to the plains of the Valley, including Srinagar, ending the dry spell. Authorities warned that surface and air traffic could be disrupted.
The Valley is currently in the midst of Chilla-i-Kalan, the 40-day period of extreme cold during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below freezing. This period, which began on December 21, will continue until January 30. While higher reaches have already received snowfall, the plains remained largely snowless this winter.
On Tuesday night, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.4°C, a slight improvement from the previous night. Sonamarg and Shopian were the coldest places in the Valley at minus 5.5°C, followed by Gulmarg at minus 5.0°C and Pahalgam at minus 3.8°C. Other towns recorded lows of minus 3.3°C in Qazigund, minus 0.6°C in Kokernag, and minus 3.0°C in Kupwara, officials said.