After a biting sub-zero night, minimum temperatures recorded a marginal rise at several places in Kashmir on Friday, officials said.
Srinagar recorded a low of 0.2°C, a sharp improvement from –2.2°C the previous night. Qazigund in south Kashmir also saw temperatures rise to 0.2°C from –1.8°C, while Kokernag registered 0.8°C, up from –0.7°C.
However, several areas continued to reel under freezing conditions. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, recorded –4.5°C, slightly warmer than –5.4°C a night earlier. Sonamarg remained the coldest spot in the Valley at –4.7°C, compared to –7.3°C the previous night.
In south Kashmir, Pulwama recorded –3.4°C against –3.8°C, while Shopian saw a rise to –2.5°C from –4.0°C. Pahalgam, another tourist destination, recorded –1.6°C, improving from –4.4°C. Kupwara in north Kashmir, however, witnessed a slight dip at –2.4°C, compared to –2.0°C the previous night.
The Meteorological Department has forecast a spell of light snowfall over higher reaches and light rain at scattered to many places across Jammu and Kashmir from December 31 to January 1, followed by an improvement in weather conditions.
