Kashmir witnessed a noticeable easing of the biting cold as night temperatures across most parts of the Valley climbed above the freezing point, bringing temporary relief ahead of the onset of Chillai-Kalan—the 40-day harshest phase of winter.
Weather officials on Thursday said rain and snowfall are also likely during the coming days.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature improved significantly, settling at 0.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, compared to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius recorded a night earlier. The night temperature in the city remained 2.2 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.
Across the Valley, minimum temperatures ranged between 1.7 and 6.6 degrees Celsius. Dense fog blanketed Srinagar and several other areas, particularly around lakes and rivers, during the early morning hours.
In south Kashmir, Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.8 degrees Celsius, marking a rise of more than three degrees. Kokernag registered a low of 1.8 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam, a key base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of 0.4 degrees Celsius.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara remained colder, with the mercury settling at minus 1 degree Celsius. The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a minimum of 1.6 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night.
Pulwama town emerged as the coldest place in the Valley, where the temperature dipped to minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, officials said.(KINS)
