SRINAGAR: Amid cloudy weather conditions, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience significant snowfall over the next two days, with the weatherman predicting that an active Western Disturbance (WD) will affect the Union Territory from this evening or night.
Under the influence of the WD, moderate to heavy snowfall is expected for the next 36 hours across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with moderate rainfall predicted over the plains of Jammu during the same period.
“Heavy to very heavy snowfall is also possible over the higher reaches of Kashmir. Significant snowfall is expected over the plains of Kashmir, including Srinagar City, during the next 36 hours,” said Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng.
Meanwhile, the local Meteorological Department (MeT) has stated that heavy snow is likely over the middle and higher reaches of Kashmir and the Chenab Valley from tonight until late January 5 or early January 6.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, mentioned that the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy, with light to moderate rain over the plains of Jammu and snow in most areas of J&K. The peak of the weather activity is anticipated from tonight through to the late night of January 5 or the morning of January 6.
He added that weather conditions are expected to improve by the afternoon of January 6. According to Dr Ahmad, the weather will remain generally cloudy with the possibility of dry weather from January 7 to 10, while light snow could occur in isolated to scattered places on January 11 and 12.
Dr Ahmad also mentioned that the weather is expected to be generally dry from January 13 to 15.
The MeT has issued yellow and orange warnings for tomorrow (January 5). An orange warning has been issued for areas including Bandipora, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Shopian, Kulgam, and Ramban, while a yellow alert has been issued for Baramulla, Kishtwar, and Doda.
For January 6, the MeT has issued a yellow warning for Anantnag, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Kulgam, and Shopian.
As per the details, the yellow warning advises caution, while the orange warning indicates that residents should be prepared and stay updated.
Moreover, the night temperature has shown improvement at several places, with Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recording a minimum temperature of minus 1.6°C.
In Qazigund, a gateway to Kashmir, the night temperature settled at minus 6.6°C, while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 5.8°C.
At Pahalgam, the minimum temperature settled at minus 2.6°C, while Kupwara and Gulmarg, a famous ski resort, recorded lows of minus 2.2°C each.
Furthermore, the MeT has issued an advisory, stating that temporary disruptions in surface and air transportation, particularly on January 5, are expected. Tourists, travellers, and transporters have been advised to plan accordingly and follow the administration and traffic advisory. (KNO)
