Cold wave breaks slightly as night temperatures rise in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 5: Kashmir experienced a slight reprieve from the ongoing cold wave as night temperatures improved and settled above normal across most parts of the valley due to overcast skies.

Officials said temperatures on Thursday night stayed above the freezing point at several places, offering much-needed relief from the biting cold.

Minimum temperatures were one to more than three degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.

In Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, the minimum temperature rose to 0.4 degrees Celsius -more than four degrees higher than the previous night’s minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund, the gateway to the valley, recorded a low of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara in north Kashmir registered 0.2 degrees, while Kokernag in south Kashmir saw a minimum of 0.8 degrees.

Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 0 degrees.

Konibal in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district remained the coldest place in the Union Territory, with temperatures dropping to minus 3 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department said there is a possibility of a brief spell of light snowfall in isolated higher reaches late Friday.

It forecast generally dry weather from Dec. 6–7, with another short spell of light snowfall likely in higher elevations on Dec. 8