Early winter chill sweeps Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 12: Kashmir reeled under biting cold as night temperatures dipped below freezing across several areas, with Srinagar recording its coldest night of the season at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the Meteorological Department (MeT), Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir registered a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara saw the mercury drop to minus 2 degrees Celsius. Budgam emerged among the coldest places in Kashmir with a minimum of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Shopian at minus 4.1 degrees Celsius and Pampore at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg ski resort recorded a low of minus 1 degree Celsius, while Kokernag settled at 0.8 degrees Celsius.

Bandipora, Baramulla, Pulwama, and Ganderbal recorded lows of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, and minus 1.7 degrees Celsius.

In Sonamarg, the temperature stood at minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar Airport and Awantipora registered lows of minus 2 degrees Celsius and minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, relatively milder conditions prevailed.

Jammu city recorded a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius, while Banihal dipped just below freezing at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. Katra recorded 9 degrees Celsius, Batote 4.5 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 1.2 degrees Celsius, Udhampur 5 degrees Celsius, Kathua 10.2 degrees Celsius, Ramban 6.1 degrees Celsius, Rajouri 3.4 degrees Celsius, and Kishtwar 4.2 degrees Celsius.

Jammu Airport registered a minimum of 11.7 degrees Celsius.

The steady decline in temperatures signals an early onset of winter across J&K, with residents bracing for colder days ahead.

The MeT has forecast mainly dry weather over the next few days, which could lead to a further drop in night temperatures across Kashmir.

However, the days are expected to stay warmer for now.