SRINAGAR: The Meteorological Department on Saturday forecasted light to moderate rain and snow, including heavy snowfall over higher reaches, from January 28 to February 3 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Quoting a MeT official, Kashmir Scroll that a couple of moderate western disturbances are most likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from the 28th afternoon onwards.
The official stated that due to the influence of the aforementioned weather systems, an extended wet period from the afternoon of January 28 until February 3 is expected over Jammu and Kashmir and nearby regions. On January 27, the official noted that the weather would be partly to generally cloudy with the potential for light snow in isolated higher reaches towards late night.
“From 28th-29th January, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at many places with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Kashmir division (Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian and Kulgam dist.) during the night of 28th late afternoon to 29th late afternoon/evening,” he said.
He added, “From 30th-31st January, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain, snow at many places with chances of heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches as mentioned above, adding that, from 1st-3rd February, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at many places.”
The possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder/lightning in the plains of Jammu division with light snowfall over higher reaches and moderate snowfall over isolated higher reaches during 28th night to 3rd February (afternoon), the official said.
“The system may lead to the temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna & Razdan pass, Zojila particularly during 28-31st Jan,” he said.
He advised travellers to plan accordingly. He also advised farmers to withhold irrigation and fertilizer application & drain out excess water from orchards and fields during the above-mentioned period.
A significant drop in day temperature during the above period is expected, the official said.
Regarding the minimum temperatures, the official said Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.3°C, a decrease from the previous night’s minus 0.5°C. Qazigund, the official said registered 2.2°C, showing a decline from the previous night’s minus 0.2°C.
Pahalgam, the official said, experienced a cold night at minus 5.1°C, in contrast to the previous night’s minus 0.4°C. Kokernag, the official said, saw a minimum of minus 0.8°C, slightly cooler than the previous night’s minus 0.1°C.
Kupwara, the official said, reported a low of minus 2.4°C, down from 2.5°C the previous night. Gulmarg, the official said, faced a freezing night at minus 6.4°C, significantly colder than the previous minus 3.7°C.
Jammu recorded a milder night at 7.0°C, the official said.
