Light to moderate snowfall was recorded in several higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, while light rain occurred at many places in the Jammu division, officials said on Thursday.
Meteorological officials said it was already anticipated that western disturbances (WDs) would remain largely confined to north and central Kashmir, and accordingly, even today there is only a slight possibility of weak disturbance activity in these areas.
According to official data, Sadhna Pass in Kupwara district received around 6 inches of fresh snowfall, while Gurez and Tulail areas in Bandipora district recorded 8 to 12 inches.
The Sonamarg–Zojila axis in Ganderbal district witnessed 5 to 8 inches of snow, whereas the ski resort of Gulmarg received about 2 inches. The higher reaches of Pahalgam also recorded around 2 inches of snowfall.
Meanwhile, Mughal Road and Sinthan Top received 2 to 4 inches of snow, while light rain was reported from several parts of the Jammu division.
Officials said that no major Western Disturbance is expected till January 20 and there is no forecast of any significant weather activity across Jammu and Kashmir.
However, a feeble western disturbance is likely between January 6 and January 9–10, which may lead to only minor and localized weather changes.
“Such weak systems may pass during this period, but they are not expected to bring any widespread rain or snowfall,” the officials said.
At present, there is no active or upcoming weather system capable of triggering significant precipitation, and the overall outlook points towards predominantly dry weather conditions across the union Territory.
Meanwhile, minimum night temperatures remained above normal at many places across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Meteorological Department, night temperatures were 1 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal in the Kashmir division, while in the Jammu division, minimum temperatures stayed 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal at several locations.
Despite the relatively warmer nights, Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir at –5.5°C, while Bhaderwah was the coldest in the Jammu division at 1.0°C, officials added.
