SRINAGAR: For the second time in ten days, the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley, including the popular tourist spots Gulmarg and Sonamarg, experienced light snowfall on Sunday, signalling that winter is fast approaching. The snowfall, accompanied by rainfall in the plains, led to a noticeable drop in temperatures, prompting residents and tourists to prepare for the coming cold season.
Areas such as the Affarwat range in Gulmarg, Sinthan Top, Razdan Top, and the Pir Panjal Range also saw snowfall overnight, much to the delight of tourists who were greeted by the season’s first snow-covered landscapes. Meanwhile, Srinagar and other lower-lying regions experienced light rainfall, adding to the chilly conditions.
With temperatures expected to continue dropping, the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecast scattered light rain over the next 48 hours. Faizan Arif, an independent weather observer, noted that a weak Western disturbance is likely to affect the region starting Tuesday, bringing cloudy skies and potential rain showers to parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The higher elevations may see another round of snowfall during this period, further lowering temperatures.
In Gulmarg, the temperature on Saturday night fell to 1.8 degrees Celsius below normal, while the rest of the valley remained 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal. Snow accumulation in Phase II of Gulmarg reached 2–3 inches, while Razdan Pass in Gurez also experienced light snowfall.
The weather forecast for the next ten days suggests mostly dry conditions across the region, with brief intermittent showers expected. October 5 may see isolated rain showers in the late afternoon or evening, while October 7 and 8 are likely to remain dry, with a slight chance of rain. From October 9 to 14, dry weather is expected to prevail, though short rain spells may occur in some areas.
With winter clearly approaching, residents are being advised to prepare their woollens, dust off their Hamams, and ready their warm flooring as the valley braces for the colder months ahead.
