Srinagar, Dec 26: Kashmir experienced a slight relief from the biting cold on Friday as minimum temperatures rose across most regions due to overcast skies, officials said.
Srinagar recorded a minimum of 0.2°C, an increase of over two degrees from minus 2.2°C on Wednesday night. Central Kashmir’s tourist hotspot Sonamarg remained the coldest with a low of minus 4.7°C, improving from minus 7.3°C. North Kashmir’s ski resort Gulmarg recorded minus 4.5°C, while Pahalgam in south Kashmir, a key base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, settled at minus 1.6°C, up from minus 4.4°C the previous night. Other regions reported: Qazigund 0.2°C, Kokernag 0.8°C, and Kupwara minus 2.4°C.
The Meteorological Department has predicted generally dry weather until December 28. However, light snow is expected at isolated higher reaches on December 29, and light rain in the plains along with snow in elevated areas is likely from December 30 to January 1, coinciding with New Year festivities.