Chill continues in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 31: The biting cold in Kashmir persisted as temperatures dropped significantly across the region on Sunday, maintaining the grip of the ongoing cold wave.

The Meteorological Department officials here said that Srinagar reported a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night’s minus 2.8 degrees Celsius. This reading was 1.3 degrees Celsius below the normal temperature.

No significant fog was reported in Srinagar or other parts of Kashmir Sunday morning.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus 2 degrees Celsius with the temperature being 0.3 degrees Celsius below normal.

Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than the previous night's minus 4.1 degrees Celsius, and 1.8 degrees Celsius above normal.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, reported a minimum of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius, with the temperature exceeding normal by 1.3 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara in north Kashmir witnessed a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, and 1.3 degrees Celsius below normal.

Gulmarg, the famed skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, with the temperature 2.7 degrees Celsius above normal.

Jammu recorded a minimum of 8.3 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than the previous night's 7.7 degrees Celsius, and 0.9 degrees Celsius above normal.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, Batote 4 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 1.4 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is currently amid Chillai Kalan, a 40-day harsh winter period set to end on January 29. Following this, a 20-day-long period called Chillai Khurd will continue from January 30 to February 18, which will be succeeded by a 10-day-long period of Chillai Bachha from February 19 to February 28.

The weather forecast suggests a possibility of light snow over higher reaches during the evening or night of December 31.

From January 1 to 3, dry weather is expected, with generally cloudy and dry conditions predicted from January 4 to 5.

No significant weather activity is anticipated until January 5.