SRINAGAR: The winter chill continues to grip Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh as temperatures dropped significantly in many areas. Kashmir recorded several sub-zero temperatures, as Larnoo in South Kashmir was the coldest at a bone-chilling -9.0°C, followed by Shopian at -8.0°C and Pahalgam at -7.6°C. Other notable minimum temperatures include Qazigund and Gulmarg at -6.5°C, Anantnag at -6.4°C, and Kulgam at -6.6°C. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded -3.6°C, along with Sonamarg, Bandipora, and Budgam. Meanwhile, Baramulla was relatively warmer at -2.6°C. Kupwara and Kokernag saw temperatures of -4.4°C and -4.7°C respectively.
In the Jammu region, relatively milder temperatures were recorded. Jammu city reported 7.1°C, while Kathua was slightly warmer at 7.3°C. Banihal and Bhaderwah remained cold at 1.2°C and 0.9°C, respectively, whereas Batote recorded 4.2°C and Ramban 4.8°C. Padder experienced freezing conditions at -4.3°C, while Poonch and Rajouri recorded minimums of 2.8°C and 1.5°C. Udhampur and Samba reported 5.8°C and 5.3°C, respectively, while Katra and Reasi shared a similar minimum temperature of 6.1°C.
Ladakh continues to be gripped by severe cold, with Drass registering the lowest temperature at -22.7°C, making it one of the coldest places in the region. Kargil followed at -14.5°C, and Leh recorded a minimum of -12.5°C.
According to the Meteorological Department, the region is expected to experience generally dry weather from January 12 to January 14. However, light snow is possible over isolated higher reaches on January 15 and 16. The weather is predicted to remain generally cloudy on January 17 and 18, with no significant weather activity anticipated until January 18.
