Srinagar, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir experienced a chilling drop in night temperatures, plunging below freezing point on Sunday, according to a meteorological department official.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.1°C, down from 1.2°C the previous night, remaining slightly above the normal 0.1°C for this time of the year in the summer capital.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, maintained a minimum of minus 2.0°C, normal for this location, as opposed to 1.4°C on the previous night.
Pahalgam, the famed resort in south Kashmir, witnessed a low of minus 3.9°C, 1.1°C above the normal 0.2°C recorded the night before.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, reported a minimum of minus 1.1°C, slightly above normal by 1.0°C.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded a low of minus 2.7°C, just 0.1°C below normal, while Gulmarg, the renowned skiing resort, registered minus 3.5°C, 2.3°C above the previous night.
Jammu recorded a minimum of 9.6°C, below normal by 1.4°C for the winter capital of J&K. Meanwhile, Banihal recorded 7.2°C, Batote 6.5°C, and Bhaderwah 2.6°C.
Kashmir valley is currently under ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the 40-day harsh winter period. Although ‘Chillai-Kalan’ concludes on January 30, winter persists with ‘Chillai-Khurd’ from January 30 to February 19 and ‘Chillai-Bachha’ from February 20 to March 1.
The weather is expected to remain generally dry from December 24-26, with the possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches on December 27. Dry weather is anticipated from December 28-31, with no significant weather activity until the end of December, as stated by the meteorological official.
