SRINAGAR: Minimum temperatures plunged across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with Shopian recording the lowest in the Kashmir Valley at minus 8.6°C and Drass emerging as the coldest location in the region at minus 24.5°C, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather.
In the Kashmir region, Srinagar registered a low of minus 5.2°C, while Qazigund settled at minus 5.8°C and Pahalgam at minus 7.6°C. Other notable readings included Pulwama and Sopore at minus 7.7°C each, Anantnag at minus 7.1°C, Awantipora and Zethan Rafiabad at minus 6.8°C, and Gulmarg at minus 6.2°C. Srinagar Airport recorded a minimum of minus 6.0°C.
In the Jammu region, temperatures remained comparatively higher, though cold conditions prevailed in several areas. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 4.0°C, while Katra registered 4.4°C and Jammu Airport 4.6°C. Sub-zero temperatures were reported from Bhaderwah at minus 2.0°C, Rajouri at minus 1.6°C and Samba at minus 0.7°C. Udhampur recorded 0.8°C, while Banihal was the warmest in the region at 7.1°C.
Ladakh continued to experience extreme cold, with Drass recording minus 24.5°C, followed by Padum at minus 18.3°C, Nyoma at minus 17.7°C and Hanle at minus 16.3°C. Leh and Nubra Valley both recorded minus 13.4°C, while Kargil settled at minus 12.3°C.
Weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir have largely remained dry during “Chillai Kalan”, the 40-day harshest phase of winter that began on December 21. A weak Western Disturbance affected the Union Territory towards the end of the year, bringing light rain and snowfall to parts of north Kashmir,.
