SRINAGAR: Multiple areas of the Kashmir Valley recorded sub-zero night temperatures, with Gulmarg turning out to be the coldest place in the region.
According to figures compiled by Kashmir Weather, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of –3.2°C, while Srinagar airport recorded a lower –4.2°C. Awantipora in south Kashmir also witnessed a similar low of –4.2°C.
The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir reported the lowest temperature in the Valley at –6.5°C. Shopian followed closely at –6.0°C, while Pulwama recorded –5.1°C. Anantnag saw the mercury drop to –4.6°C.
Qazigund and Pahalgam both recorded minimum temperatures of –4.0°C, while Pampore settled at –3.0°C. Budgam and Baramulla logged –3.3°C each. Kupwara recorded –2.5°C, Ganderbal –2.0°C and Bandipora a relatively higher –1.2°C.
Night temperatures in the Jammu region remained considerably higher. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 10.0°C, while the airport reported 10.3°C. Kathua and Katra both logged 7.0°C.
However, some parts of the Chenab Valley experienced colder conditions, with Banihal recording –0.9°C and Bhaderwah –1.6°C. Batote and Doda settled at 1.9°C each. Ramban recorded 2.3°C, Rajouri 2.5°C, Kishtwar 2.9°C, Udhampur 5.2°C and Reasi 8.8°C.
In the Ladakh region, Leh experienced a severe cold wave, with the minimum temperature plunging to –11.0°C.
Officials said the weather across Jammu and Kashmir has remained largely dry during the ongoing 40-day harsh winter period known as Chillai Kalan, which began on December 21. A weak western disturbance affected the Union Territory few days ago, bringing light rain and snowfall to parts of north Kashmir, but no major weather system is currently active.
