Sub-zero nights etch Kashmir winter

Srinagar, Jan 17: Chillai Kalan again tightened its grip on Kashmir on Saturday, with most weather stations recording significantly colder conditions compared with the previous night, even as meteorologists are anticipating a wet spell from January 19.

Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest places in the Valley, recording minimum temperatures of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius and minus 5.6 degrees Celsius. Anantnag also saw a steep fall, settling at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than Friday.

Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded a minimum of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

Similar trends were observed across north and central Kashmir.

Kupwara slipped to minus 2.2 degrees Celsius from minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, while Baramulla dropped sharply to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius after recording a comparatively mild 0.4 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Hill resorts also experienced a notable decline.

Gulmarg recorded minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than the previous night, while Pahalgam remained unchanged at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Kokernag, which had stayed just above freezing on Friday at 0.2 degrees Celsius, dipped to minus 2 degrees Celsius.

Budgam and Awantipora both recorded minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, compared with minus 2.2 degrees Celsius and minus 2.8 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

Pampore slipped to minus 4 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.

In north Kashmir, Bandipora fell to minus 3.1 degrees Celsius from minus 0.7 degrees Celsius, while Sopore recorded minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, a drop of more than a degree from Friday.

The Srinagar Airport recorded a minimum of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, marginally lower than Friday’s minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, indicating a consistent cooling trend even in relatively warmer urban pockets.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained largely stable, with Jammu city recording 4.6 degrees Celsius, almost unchanged from Friday’s 4.7 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, IMD officials said that a weak Western Disturbance was expected to affect the region between January 19 and 20, likely to bring light to moderate snowfall over higher altitude areas.

However, they said a major Western Disturbance was forecast to approach from the evening of January 22, with peak activity expected on January 23 and 24.

“During this period, moderate to heavy snowfall is likely in the upper reaches, while the plains may also witness significant snow accumulation. The phenomenon will continue up to January 25,” the officials said.

They said the weather would improve from January 26.