MeT forecasts light snowfall in Kashmir’s higher reaches till December 17
Slight rise in night temperatures offers brief respite as Kashmir braces for Chillai Kalan
Srinagar, Dec 13: Kashmir witnessed a slight relief from intense cold on Saturday as minimum temperatures rose marginally due to overcast skies, even as the Meteorological Department forecast light snowfall at isolated locations in the higher reaches of the valley between December 13 and 17.
The summer capital Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius on Friday night, an improvement from the previous night’s minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, though it remained 1.7 degrees below the seasonal average. A thick blanket of fog engulfed Srinagar and several other parts of the valley, particularly areas near water bodies, officials said.
In south Kashmir, Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag logged 0.1 degrees Celsius. North Kashmir’s Kupwara settled at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, was among the few places where temperatures stayed above freezing, recording a low of 1.6 degrees Celsius, up from zero degrees the previous night.
Pahalgam, a key base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius. Pulwama emerged as the coldest location in Jammu and Kashmir, with the mercury dipping to minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Shopian at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is gradually approaching ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day harshest winter period beginning December 21, during which temperatures plunge sharply and snowfall becomes more frequent. The valley has so far experienced a largely dry winter, leading to a rise in seasonal ailments such as cough and common cold. Doctors have advised residents, particularly children and the elderly, to take precautions and limit outdoor exposure.
The Met department has predicted very light snowfall at isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir from December 13 to 17. While weather conditions are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy on December 18 and 19, light rain or snow may occur at scattered places on December 20 and 21 as ‘Chillai Kalan’ sets in. Shallow to moderate fog is also likely to persist across many parts of the valley in the coming days.
