SRINAGAR: After fresh snowfall in Kashmir’s higher reaches, a cold wave has intensified across the valley, causing night temperatures to drop sharply.
The renowned ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of -9.0°C on Monday, making it one of the coldest nights this season. Gulmarg experienced fresh snowfall on Sunday, enhancing its scenic beauty.
In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the temperature fell to -3.3°C on Monday, a significant drop from -0.5°C recorded on Sunday. Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in south Kashmir, registered a minimum of -6.8°C compared to -2.8°C the previous night, which is 4.0°C below the seasonal norm.
At Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, the temperature dropped to -5.2°C from Sunday’s -1.0°C, 4.5°C below normal. Kokernag, another destination in south Kashmir, recorded -4.4°C against the previous night’s 0.4°C, which is 3.8°C below average. Kupwara, a frontier district, saw temperatures drop to -4.4°C from 0.4°C, which is 2.6°C below normal for this period.
Other notable lows include Zojila Pass at -20°C, Sonmarg at -7.0°C, Larnoo at -7.9°C, Shopian at -7.7°C, Anantnag at -7.0°C, and Pulwama at -6.7°C, according to independent weather observer Faizan Arif.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) forecasts generally cloudy weather with light rain in parts of the Jammu plains and higher areas, as well as light snow in some higher-altitude regions of the Kashmir Valley on Monday. The weather is expected to remain dry until 10 December, with a minor snow spell possible in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Bandipora district on 11 December. Another weak Western Disturbance may bring light rain or snow on 12 December, but predominantly dry weather is anticipated until 17 December.
In Jammu, Padder recorded the coldest temperature at -7.5°C, followed by Banihal at -3.1°C. Jammu city remained relatively mild at 6.5°C. Ramban recorded the highest minimum at 9.2°C, with Samba and Kathua at 2.3°C and 7.0°C, respectively.
In Ladakh, Leh experienced extreme cold, with a minimum temperature of -12.8°C. Data for Kargil and Drass was not available.
The MeT office predicts light rain in some areas of Jammu’s plains and hilly regions, while higher reaches of Kashmir may see light snow from the evening of 8 December to the morning of 9 December.
