Srinagar, 12-01-2024 : A mild western disturbance is expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir, potentially bringing light snowfall to isolated areas in the higher altitudes, as reported by the meteorological department. The minimum temperatures in Kashmir have slightly risen due to the presence of cloud cover.
The influence of feeble western disturbances is anticipated on Friday and January 17 evening, leading to generally cloudy weather and the likelihood of light snowfall over select locations in the elevated regions, according to the meteorological department.
The dry winter season in Kashmir has resulted in nights characterized by freezing temperatures and days warmer than the usual seasonal norms. Srinagar witnessed day temperatures exceeding 6 degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of the year.
While the Valley continues to experience sub-zero nighttime temperatures, with the mercury settling below the seasonal average, Srinagar city recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, a slight increase from the previous night. Qazigund and Gulmarg registered lows of minus 4.2 degrees and minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Pahalgam, situated in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and a significant base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. Kokernag and Kupwara reported minimum temperatures of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius and minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Currently in the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan,” a 40-day intense winter period marked by a cold wave and significant temperature drops leading to the freezing of water bodies and pipes, Kashmir is facing a prolonged dry spell. December witnessed a 79 per cent rain deficit, and the first week of January saw no precipitation.
While most plains in Kashmir have not experienced snowfall, the upper reaches have received below-average amounts of snow. The “Chilla-i-Kalan” is slated to conclude on January 31, but cold conditions are expected to persist with a 20-day “Chilla-i-Khurd” (small cold) and a subsequent 10-day “Chilla-i-Bachha” (baby cold).
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