SRINAGAR: The meteorological department (MeT) on Saturday predicted snowfall, rain in Kashmir from January 16.
Sonam Lotus, Director of Meteorological Department, said that under the influence of feeble western disturbance, weather is most likely to remain generally cloudy with the possibility of very light to light rain/snow in plains of J&K during January 16-19 and light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches.
The 40-day long period of harsh winter cold called locally the ‘Chillai Kalan’ which started in the Valley on December 21 will end on January 31.
Pahalgam, the famous health resort which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir was the coldest place in the Valley where the minimum temperature was minus 11.4 degrees.
The famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 9.5 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the state recorded a low of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius while Qazigund in south Kashmir registered a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 5.0 degrees Celsius last night.
Jammu city recorded 7.7 degrees Celsius, Katra 5.0, Batote 1.5, Banihal recorded 0.8 and Bhaderwah recorded minus 2.1 degrees Celsius as the night’s lowest temperatures.
