SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir experienced a sharp drop in temperatures, with most parts of the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero night lows, while the Jammu region remained relatively milder.
According to independent forecaster Kashmir Weather, Srinagar’s minimum temperature fell to minus 2.1°C, with Srinagar Airport recording minus 3.4°C. Pampore and Shopian each registered minus 3.5°C, Baramulla minus 3.6°C, and Pulwama emerged as the coldest at minus 4.0°C. Other valley towns also stayed below freezing, including Kupwara and Anantnag at minus 2.8°C, Awantipora at minus 2.6°C, Budgam at minus 2.4°C, and Bandipora at minus 2.8°C. Popular tourist destinations saw temperatures of minus 2.6°C in Pahalgam, 0.1°C in Sonamarg, 0.5°C in Kokernag, and 0.9°C in Kulgam, while Gulmarg remained slightly above freezing at 1.0°C. Ganderbal recorded minus 0.5°C.
In Jammu, minimum temperatures were higher, with Jammu city at 9.9°C and Jammu Airport at 11.1°C. Banihal recorded 3.5°C, Batote 6.7°C, Katra 9.2°C, Bhaderwah 2.3°C, Kathua 8.8°C, Udhampur 4.2°C, Ramban 5.8°C, Samba 5.4°C, Rajouri 2.4°C, Kishtwar 6.1°C, Reasi 7.8°C, and Doda 6.7°C.
In Ladakh, Leh dropped to minus 4.6°C, Kargil minus 4.0°C, and Nubra Valley minus 2.6°C.
The Meteorological Department has forecast a western disturbance to affect the region around December 20 to 22, coinciding with the onset of Chillai-Kalan. This system may bring moderate to heavy snowfall to higher reaches of Kashmir, while plains could see light to moderate rain or snowfall.
