SRINAGAR: Weather forecasts have undergone significant changes in the past week. The prevailing dry weather conditions are expected to persist until the upcoming weekend, leading to a substantial increase in temperature in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the Kashmir valley plains, temperatures may surpass 34°C, while in Jammu plains, daytime temperatures could potentially reach up to 43°C.
The southwest monsoon is predicted to arrive around Sunday. From Sunday evening to Wednesday, there is a high likelihood of rain showers in most areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu region is expected to receive the highest amount of precipitation during this time.
Srinagar and other places in the Kashmir Valley recorded the hottest day of the season so far, with the mercury touching 33.3°C in the summer capital of J&K on Tuesday.
The maximum temperature in Srinagar was 4.1°C above the normal for the season and surpassed the previous highest of 31.8°C recorded on June 18, according to a meteorological department official.
Other places, including Pahalgam (27.8°C), Qazigund (32.6°C), Kokernag (31.4°C), Kupwara (32.1°C), and Gulmarg (23.4°C), also experienced the hottest day of the season.
Additionally, the minimum (night) temperatures increased in most places and settled above normal across J&K.
The meteorological department official reported that Srinagar recorded a low of 18.2°C, which was 2.4°C above normal for the summer capital, compared to 16.9°C on the previous night.
Qazigund recorded a low of 16.2°C, 1.9°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, compared to 15.2°C on the previous night.
Pahalgam registered a low of 9.1°C, which was 0.5°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, compared to 9.6°C on the previous night.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 14.1°C, 1.3°C above normal for the north Kashmir area, compared to 13.2°C on the previous night.
Kokernag recorded a low of 15.4°C, 1.4°C above normal for the place, while Gulmarg recorded a low of 10.2°C, 1.8°C above normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Jammu recorded a low of 26.1°C, 0.4°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, compared to 21.7°C on the previous night.
Banihal recorded a low of 17.3°C (2.2°C above normal), Batote 19.2°C (2.0°C above normal), Katra 23.6°C (1.6°C below normal), and Bhaderwah 18.2°C (above normal by 3.3°C). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of 8.0°C and 11.9°C, respectively.
Regarding the forecast, the meteorological department official stated that from June 20-23, mainly dry weather is expected, but a brief spell of shower/thunderstorm at 1 or 2 places towards late afternoon/evening cannot be ruled out.
From June 24th-28th, generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate thunderstorms is expected at scattered to fairly widespread places.
The official added, “Maximum temperature over many parts of Kashmir Division is likely to range between 30-32°C, and 38-40°C over the plains of Jammu. Hot and dry weather is likely to continue until June 23.”
