The Kashmir Valley is grappling with a severe cold wave, with temperatures across the region plummeting below freezing, as reported by Kashmir Weather.
Srinagar recorded a low of -4.8°C, while Qazigund experienced -5.4°C. Popular tourist destinations, Pahalgam and Gulmarg, saw frigid lows of -8.4°C and -7.4°C, respectively.
Other areas like Shopian and Larnoo were even colder, with temperatures reaching -7.9°C and -8.8°C.
In the Jammu region, temperatures also dropped significantly, though not as drastically as in Kashmir. Jammu recorded a low of 6.0°C, Banihal dipped to -1.5°C, Bhaderwah to -0.7°C, and Padder registered a freezing -8.1°C. Katra, a major pilgrimage site, maintained relatively milder conditions at 6.8°C.
Ladakh region emerged as the coldest, with Leh at -12.2°C, Kargil at -13.7°C, and Drass plunging to a bone-chilling -22.0°C, marking it as one of the coldest inhabited locations in the area.
The Meteorological Department has indicated a feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect the region from Wednesday.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the department, stated that isolated light snowfall may occur in higher reaches during the early morning hours of January 16.
The forecast for January 17–19 predicts generally cloudy skies without significant changes.
However, on January 20–21, there is a chance of light snowfall at scattered locations, extending winter’s icy grip on the region.