Snow, Rain Likely in Kashmir After Brief Dry Spell
Srinagar, Dec 26: Kashmir is likely to witness light snowfall in higher reaches and light rain in plains towards the end of December and early January, even as minimum temperatures showed a slight improvement due to overcast conditions, officials said on Friday.
According to officials, cloud cover across the Valley helped ease the cold marginally at several places. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius, more than two degrees higher than the minus 2.2 degrees Celsius recorded a night earlier.
Tourist resort Sonamarg in central Kashmir remained the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir, registering a low of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, though temperatures there also improved from the previous night. North Kashmir’s Gulmarg followed closely with a minimum temperature of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.
In south Kashmir, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, showing a noticeable rise from minus 4.4 degrees Celsius earlier. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.2 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 0.8 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara settled at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department said that generally dry weather is expected to continue across Kashmir till December 28. However, a change in weather is likely around New Year’s Eve, with chances of light snow at isolated higher reaches on December 29.
The weather office further said there is a possibility of light rain in the plains and light snowfall in higher reaches from December 30 to January 1, marking the end of the prolonged dry spell in the region.
Officials advised people, especially those travelling to higher altitude areas, to remain cautious as weather conditions may change towards the end of the month.
