Srinagar, Jan 24: Following a day of widespread snowfall, gusty winds, and intermittent rains, weather conditions improved across Kashmir on Saturday, officials reported, even as night temperatures remained below the freezing point throughout the valley.
While higher reaches continued to receive light snow and rain late Friday night, the plains recorded light to moderate snowfall over the past 24 hours. The Meteorological Department has forecast isolated snow and rain over the weekend, with another western disturbance expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir from Monday, potentially bringing heavy spells with thunder and gusty winds.
Night temperatures remained bitterly cold, with Srinagar dipping to minus 1.4°C. Gulmarg in Baramulla district was the coldest at minus 12°C, followed by Sonamarg at minus 10.5°C and Pahalgam at minus 7.6°C. Qazigund, Kokernag, and Kupwara recorded lows of minus 4.2°C, minus 6.2°C, and minus 4.0°C, respectively.
The valley remains under the influence of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the 40-day period of extreme cold, which started on December 21 and will continue until January 30.
Meanwhile, flight operations at Srinagar airport, suspended due to heavy snowfall, resumed after snow clearance from the runway, restoring air connectivity for the region.
The new weather pattern provides temporary relief for residents and tourists, but authorities continue to monitor conditions amid ongoing snowfall in the higher reaches.