SRINAGAR: The Kashmir valley continues to endure intense cold conditions, with minimum temperatures settling several degrees below the freezing point, officials said on Friday. The Meteorological (MeT) Office has forecast mainly dry weather for the day, with light rain or snow likely at isolated places over the weekend.
Clear skies over the past few nights have exacerbated the cold wave, leading to sub-zero temperatures across the valley. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night’s minus 4.4 degrees.
Gulmarg, the renowned ski resort in north Kashmir, logged a low of minus 8.1 degrees Celsius, a slight improvement from the previous night’s minus 9.6 degrees. In Pahalgam, a key base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 10 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest location in the valley.
Other parts of the valley also reported freezing conditions. Qazigund, known as the gateway to Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, while Konibal in Pampore town experienced minus 6.2 degrees. Kupwara in north Kashmir saw the mercury settle at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
The MeT Office has predicted generally dry weather on Friday, with the likelihood of light snowfall, especially in higher reaches, from Saturday. Officials noted that the valley has experienced clear skies and bright sunshine during the day in recent days, contributing to significant temperature drops during the night.
Kashmir is presently in the midst of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest 40-day winter period that began on 21 December. This phase, marked by severe cold and increased snowfall chances, will continue until 30 January, followed by ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (20 days of milder cold) and ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (10 days of baby cold).
The cold conditions are expected to persist, with locals and tourists advised to prepare for potential weather changes in the coming days.
