Srinagar, Dec 18: Kashmir witnessed a temporary easing of the intense winter chill as night temperatures across much of the Valley rose above the freezing point, offering brief relief ahead of the onset of Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period, officials said on Thursday.
According to weather officials, minimum temperatures in most parts of the Valley remained above zero, a notable change from recent sub-zero nights. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, a sharp improvement from minus 1.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. The night temperature in the city was over two degrees above the seasonal average.
Across the Valley, minimum temperatures ranged between 1.7 and 6.6 degrees Celsius, indicating a temporary moderation in cold conditions. However, the milder nights were accompanied by dense fog, which blanketed Srinagar and several other areas, particularly near lakes and rivers, during the early morning hours, reducing visibility in some places.
In south Kashmir, Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of 0.8 degrees Celsius, an increase of more than three degrees from the previous night. Kokernag registered a low of 1.8 degrees Celsius. In north Kashmir’s Kupwara, the mercury dipped slightly below freezing to minus 1 degree Celsius. Pulwama town emerged as the coldest spot in the Valley, recording a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.
Tourist destinations also experienced relatively milder conditions. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, recorded a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night, while Pahalgam, a key base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of 0.4 degrees Celsius.
The Kashmir Valley is now bracing for the onset of Chillai-Kalan, which begins on December 21 and continues until January 30. This period is traditionally marked by the coldest temperatures of the winter season and the highest likelihood of snowfall. During Chillai-Kalan, temperatures often drop sharply, freezing water bodies and intensifying cold conditions across the region.
So far, the Valley has experienced an unusually dry winter, with no major wet spell recorded, officials said. The prolonged dry conditions have contributed to an increase in seasonal ailments such as cough, cold and respiratory discomfort among residents.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed optimism that the dry spell would soon come to an end. “Alhamdulillah, this prolonged dry spell in J-K that has persisted since early last month looks like it will finally end this weekend,” he wrote on social media platform X.
The Meteorological Department has forecast a spell of wet weather on December 20 and 21, coinciding with the beginning of Chillai-Kalan. Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in the higher reaches of Kashmir, while light to moderate rain and snow may occur in the plains. Officials said the anticipated precipitation is likely to bring relief from the dry spell and replenish water sources, even as it ushers in the most severe phase of winter.