The minimum temperature dropped across Kashmir Valley even as some parts of Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, and Pahalgam were blanketed by a thin blanket of snowfall, officials said on Thursday.
An official of the meteorological department here told GNS that Srinagar had traces of snowfall or rain in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today. However reports reaching GNS suggest that most parts were blanketed by a thin layer of snow. The summer capital of the J&K recorded a low of minus 1.3°C against last night’s 1.3°C, he said.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.0 °C against minus 10.4°C on previous night, he said. The temperature was nearly 2.5°C below normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against 0.2°C on the previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.3°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night, the official said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, had 0.2cm of snowfall and recorded a low of minus 10.9°C against minus 5.6°C on the last night, he said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against 1.6°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu recorded a low of 5.5°C against previous night’s 7.7°C and the temperature was 3.2°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.8°C, Katra had minimum of 5.0°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of minus 1.5°C, the official said.
Weatherman has forecast cloudy weather in J&K coupled with moderate to dense fog in plains of Jammu till January 29.
“Fair to partly cloudy weather is expected throughout J&K till January 29 with moderate to dense fog in morning hours in plains of Jammu,” the official said. He said there would generally cloudy weather on January 30 and that there is possibility of light rain/snow on January 31st. “Expect warmer days and colder nights till January 29th,” he said, adding, “There’s no forecast of any major weather till ending January.” (GNS)