Chilla-i-Kalan Onset: Kashmir Sees Marginal Respite from Subzero Temperatures and Dense Fog
MeT Predicts Continued Cloudiness and Dry Spell in Kashmir Until December 31 Amid Western Disturbance Influence
Srinagar, 30-12-2023 : In a noticeable shift, Kashmir experienced a marginal improvement in night temperatures and a reduction in foggy conditions, although the minimum temperature continued to hover below freezing point, as reported by officials on Saturday. Over the past five days, various parts of the Valley, including Srinagar, had been enveloped in dense fog during the mornings. However, a slight amelioration in visibility was observed on Saturday.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar conveyed that the weather was expected to persist as cloudy and dry, with moderate to dense fog prevailing over the plains of both Kashmir and the Jammu division until December 31. This climatic pattern is attributed to the influence of an approaching feeble Western disturbance. Mukhtar Ahmad, the director of MeT’s Srinagar center, indicated that the foggy conditions were likely to persist until January 4, owing to the absence of any significant wet spell.
The harsh winter period known as “Chilla-i-Kalan,” spanning 40 days, commenced in Kashmir last week, bringing with it temperatures below freezing at numerous locations. The MeT reported that the minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, marking a slight increase of 0.5 notches from the previous night when Srinagar recorded minus 3.3 degrees Celsius.
In the northern Kashmir town of Gulmarg, a popular resort, the minimum temperature held steady at -2.5°C, consistent with the previous night. Similarly, the frontier town of Kupwara reported a minimum temperature of -2.3°C. The Konibal area on the outskirts of Srinagar and the tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 4.5°C and minus 2.0°C, respectively. Pahalgam experienced an improvement of over three degrees from the previous night. Qazigund, the southern gateway town, recorded a low of minus 2.2 °C.
Looking ahead, the MeT has forecasted light snowfall at isolated higher reaches on January 4, suggesting the possibility of a dynamic weather pattern in the days to come in the Kashmir region.
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