Cloud cover brings relief

Srinagar, Dec 23: Cold conditions in Jammu and Kashmir eased with the arrival of cloud cover, bringing relief to the region on Saturday.

Excluding Gulmarg, all meteorological stations reported temperatures above freezing, officials said.

A Meteorological Department (MeT) official said that the minimum temperature in Srinagar was 1.2 degrees Celsius, a notable improvement from the previous night's minus 3.3 degrees Celsius. This was 2 degrees Celsius above the normal range for this time of the year.

In Qazigund, the minimum temperature rose to 1.4 degrees Celsius from the previous night's minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, marking a 3.4 degrees Celsius increase above the town's normal temperature. Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal temperature by 5.2 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night's minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, reported a minimum temperature of 1.2 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal by 1.2 degrees Celsius in comparison to the previous night's minus 3 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara in north Kashmir experienced a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius, a 3.9 degrees Celsius increase above normal compared to the previous night's minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

However, Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, which was 4.3 degrees Celsius above normal in contrast to the previous night's minus 1 degrees Celsius.

Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 10.5 degrees Celsius, falling below normal by 2 degrees Celsius.

Banihal recorded 6.6 degrees Celsius, Batote 8.5 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 7.4 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is currently under Chillai Kalan, 40 days of harsh winter.

Although Chillai Kalan concludes on January 29, winter persists with a subsequent 20-day period called Chillai Khurd from January 30 to February 18, followed by 10 days of Chillai Bachha from February 20 to February 28.

The weather forecast for December 24 to 26 anticipates generally dry conditions, with the possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches on December 27.

Subsequently, dry weather is expected from December 28 to 31, with no significant weather activity until December end.