Ahead of a fresh series of Western Disturbances expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir from Friday, night temperatures across Kashmir showed a marginal improvement at most places, though conditions continue to remain intensely cold.
According to meteorological department data, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of –3.9°C last night, up from –5.2°C the preceding night.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, also witnessed a slight rise, settling at –4.7°C compared to –5.3°C earlier.
South Kashmir, however, continued to reel under severe cold conditions. Pulwama and Shopian emerged as the coldest places, both recording –6.1°C, though this was an improvement from the previous night when Pulwama logged –7.0°C and Shopian plunged to –7.5°C.
The tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded –5.0°C, up from –6.0°C a night earlier. The other tourist destinations also showed mixed trends, with Gulmarg recording –3.2°C compared to –3.8°C earlier, while Sonamarg saw a sharp drop to –5.8°C from –2.2°C the previous night.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara registered –4.9°C, improving from –6.2°C.
On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed unusual weather conditions, as Jammu city turned colder than the snow-bound resort of Gulmarg. Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of just 7.4 degrees Celsius, marking the fourth-lowest maximum temperature in the city’s history.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 13.3°C, Pahalgam settled at 10.6°C, while Gulmarg recorded 8.2°C.
At least three week Western Disturbance are expected to impact J&K from January 16 in coming days. The weather department has forecast isolated light rain or snowfall over the next two days.
On January 19 and 20, light rain or snowfall is likely at scattered to fairly widespread places. From January 22 to 24, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light to moderate rain or snowfall at most places. There is also a possibility of moderate to heavy rain or snowfall over a few districts of the Chenab Valley, Udampur, Reasi, and parts of South Kashmir during January 23 and 24.
