SRINAGAR: The scorching weather conditions continued relentlessly in the Kashmir Valley as Srinagar experienced its hottest day of the season and equaled the warmest June day in a decade on Friday.
A meteorological department official stated that the maximum temperature in Srinagar soared to 35.0°C, which was 5.8°C above the normal seasonal average. Today’s temperature surpassed the previous highest of 34.8°C recorded just yesterday and equaled the warmest day in June over the past decade. The official mentioned that, apart from June 3, 2018, when the mercury also reached 35.0°C, there hasn’t been such intense heat in the summer capital of J&K in the past decade.
Other places, including Pahalgam (30.0°C), Qazigund (34.2°C), Kokernag (33.7°C), Kupwara (33.5°C), and Gulmarg (25.0°C), also reported sweltering weather conditions. The official noted that Kokernag experienced the warmest June day in over a decade, while Pahalgam marked the second warmest June day of the past ten years. On June 9, 2021, the mercury had exceeded 30.0°C in the popular south Kashmir tourist destination.
Regarding the minimum temperature, the official mentioned that Srinagar recorded a low of 21.0°C compared to 20.5°C the previous night, which was 5.2°C above the summer capital’s normal average.
Qazigund recorded a low of 19.0°C, surpassing the previous night’s 17.2°C, and it was 4.7°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam witnessed a low of 10.6°C, slightly lower than the previous night’s 11.3°C, but still 1.5°C above the normal average for the area.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 17.8°C, slightly higher than the previous night’s 17.4°C, and it was 3.7°C above normal for the north Kashmir region.
Kokernag recorded a low of 19.3°C compared to 17.7°C the previous night, with a deviation of 5.2°C above normal for the location, according to officials.
Gulmarg registered a low of 15.4°C, higher than the previous night’s 13.5°C, and it was 5.2°C above normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Jammu recorded a low of 31.2°C, significantly above the previous night’s 27.8°C, and it was 5.1°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital.
Banihal reported a low of 21.1°C (6.0°C above normal), Batote recorded 22.4°C (5.2°C above normal), Katra observed 27.0°C (5.0°C below normal), and Bhaderwah noted 20.8°C (5.9°C above normal). In Ladakh, Leh experienced a low of 8.8°C, while Kargil recorded 16.5°C.
Regarding the forecast for June 24, the official mentioned that generally cloudy weather is expected with light rain and thunderstorms in scattered places in Jammu and a few areas in the Kashmir Division.
From June 25 to 28, generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate thundershowers is anticipated in many locations.
The official further stated that there will be relief from the “current heat wave” starting from June 24 onwards. (GNS)
