Snowfall Blankets Kashmir’s High Altitudes, Including Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Amidst Forecasted Weather Shifts

SRINAGAR, Jan 21: The higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley, including the popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, received fresh snowfall overnight, delighting locals and tourists alike, according to officials.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecasted scattered light to moderate rain and snow across Jammu and Kashmir over the next 48 hours. On January 22, light to moderate rainfall is expected in the plains of Jammu, while areas at higher altitudes, including parts of the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal Range, are likely to witness light to moderate snowfall. Another spell of light to moderate rainfall in the plains and snowfall in various regions of Jammu and Kashmir is expected on January 23. From January 24 to 28, the weather is anticipated to be mostly dry, with a slight chance of light rain and snow in isolated locations between January 29 and 31.

Notably, the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district received 9 mm of fresh snowfall, while Sonamarg, a picturesque destination in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, also experienced moderate snowfall overnight. The fresh snow brought joy to the tourists staying at these locations. Additionally, several parts of Kashmir saw overnight rainfall.

Due to the fresh snowfall on Razdan Pass in north Kashmir, vehicular traffic on the Gurez-Bandipora road has been suspended for safety reasons.

In terms of temperatures, the night temperatures across the Kashmir Valley showed an increase, with readings 3°C to 5°C above normal during the night of Monday and Tuesday. The day temperatures on Monday also recorded a rise, ranging from 4°C to 8°C above normal.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.0°C, up from the previous night’s -3.2°C, which was 3.3°C above the average for this time of year. Gulmarg, which had been the coldest place in the region, also saw a significant rise in temperatures, settling at -3.2°C, a 5.2°C increase from the -7.8°C recorded the previous night. This was 5.2°C above the normal for Gulmarg at this time.

Pahalgam also experienced a temperature rise, with the minimum temperature recorded at -2.2°C, up from -6.4°C the previous night, marking a 4.7°C increase above normal for the region. The town of Qazigund, situated on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, recorded a low of -1.6°C, up from the previous night’s -3°C, which was 2.7°C above the normal for the area.

Kupwara, for the first time this winter, saw a temperature rise, recording a minimum of 1°C, compared to -1.4°C the previous night. This was 3.7°C above the normal for the frontier district. The south Kashmir picnic spot of Kokernag also saw a temperature increase, with a low of -1.4°C, up from the previous night’s -2.4°C, which was 2.3°C above the average for the area.

With these fluctuating temperatures and continuing snowfall, the weather conditions are set to remain dynamic over the next few days, while the region enjoys its winter charm.