Cold snap tightens | Chillai Kalan intensifies; Srinagar records -3.3°C

Srinagar, Dec 22: The bone-chilling grip of winter tightened its hold on Jammu and Kashmir for the second day of Chillai Kalan, the 40 days of harsh winter, with severe cold conditions persisting across Kashmir on Friday.

According to officials from the Meteorological Department, Srinagar witnessed a minimum temperature of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, a slight improvement from the previous night's minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. However, it remained below the normal range by 1.3 degrees Celsius for this time of the year.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.3 compared to the previous night's 4 degrees Celsius. The temperature was 1 degree Celsius below normal, highlighting the severity of the cold wave in the region.

In the famous resort town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir, the mercury dipped to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, a marginal improvement from the previous night's minus 5.8 degrees Celsius. Despite being 0.2 degrees Celsius above normal, the town continues to experience biting cold conditions.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, indicating a slight increase from the previous night's minus 3 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature remained below normal by 0.3 degrees Celsius for the area.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir experienced a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than the previous night's minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Nevertheless, it was 1.4 degrees Celsius below normal, emphasising the severity of the cold wave in the northern parts of the region.

Gulmarg, the famed skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1 degree Celsius, a notable improvement from the previous night's minus 3 degrees Celsius. Surprisingly, the temperature was 5.8 degrees Celsius above normal, offering some relief to the residents and visitors.

In Jammu, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8.5 degrees Celsius against the previous night's 7.3 degrees Celsius, remaining slightly below normal by 0.3 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Banihal recorded 3.8 degrees Celsius, Batote 6.3 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 3.5 degrees Celsius.

While Chillai Kalan is set to persist until January 30, it marks only the beginning of winter's grasp on Kashmir.

After this, a 20-day-long Chillai Khurd will extend from January 30 to February 19, followed by a 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby cold) period from February 20 to March 1.

The Meteorological Department predicted generally cloudy weather with the possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches in the next 24 hours.

From December 24 to 26, the weather is expected to be generally dry, with a chance of light snow over isolated higher reaches on December 27.

Overall, generally dry weather is anticipated from December 28 to 31, with no significant weather activity expected until the end of December.