SRINAGAR: The five-day intermittent wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Monday, with occasional sunshine witnessed in Srinagar and other areas of the valley.
However, the prolonged dry spell, which lasted for nearly two months, also surpassed previous records, as the Kashmir Valley, including areas in Jammu, experienced high temperatures, marking the warmest January in history.
The five-day intermittent wet spell ended the prolonged dry spell in Kashmir, while several feet of snowfall were recorded at some places.
As per details shared by the Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, the weather conditions are expected to remain generally dry from Tuesday until February 14, with no forecast of any wet spell during the period.
Meanwhile, the Director MeT advised following administration and traffic police advisories in view of significant snow accumulation during the last few days.
Moreover, Independent Weather Forecaster Faizan Arif Keng issued a detailed statement, stating that in January 2024, the Kashmir region and certain areas of Jammu experienced unusually high temperatures, marking it as the warmest January on record.
“The absence of snowfall and inactive Western Disturbances contributed to extraordinarily high temperatures, reaching more than 8°C above normal levels on some days during the month,” Keng said.
At 11.7 degrees Celsius, Srinagar experienced its warmest-ever mean maximum temperature in January, tying with the years 2001 and 1902, while Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Qazigund, Kokernag, and Kupwara observed their highest-ever temperatures.
Gulmarg recorded a mean maximum temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 10.3 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 12.1 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 10.9 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara 11.6 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, Banihal recorded an unprecedented all-time highest mean maximum temperature of 16.4 degrees Celsius, he said.
Bhaderwah and Batote experienced their second-highest mean maximum temperatures on record. Bhaderwah recorded 14.7°C, near its highest recorded temperature of 15.4°C. Meanwhile, Batote recorded 14.8°C, matching the temperature recorded in 2010, with the all-time highest mean maximum temperature being 18.4°C in 1995, he added—(KNO)
