The Meteorological Department on Wednesday said that minimum temperatures, already hovering between –3°C and –4°C in the Srinagar city, are expected to fall even further in the coming days.
Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, as per news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) said that temperatures in parts of Central Kashmir may touch –5°C, while higher reaches in districts like Ganderbal, Shopian, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Pulwama could see night temperatures dipping to –6°C to –8°C.
He said the prolonged dry spell is a major factor behind the steep drop in temperatures. “A wet spell is crucial for moderating this drastic fall. But for now, the weather is expected to remain mainly dry until around December 10,” Dr. Mukhtar noted.
Although no major weather activity is expected immediately, two weak Western Disturbances (WDs) are likely to pass through the region in the first week of December.
“A feeble WD around December 2–3 and another between December 5–6 may cause light clouding, but no significant change in weather is anticipated,” he said.
However, a more impactful system may bring the first precipitation of the season in mid-December.
“The extended range forecast indicates a stronger Western Disturbance between December 11 and 18.
This system could bring the season’s first snowfall. Its intensity and distribution will become clearer in the coming days,” he added.
Dr. Mukhtar said temperatures this season are behaving unusually.
“The ongoing dry weather combined with climatic patterns over the Central Pacific Ocean is pushing temperatures below normal. As we move closer to Chillai Kalan, the cold will intensify further,” he explained.
He also addressed concerns about dust particles reported across regions, confirming that satellite imagery has detected transcontinental transport.
“Dust from parts of Ethiopia has drifted toward India. Its impact depends on wind direction, but such occurrences are not uncommon,” he clarified. (KINS)
